Borussia Dortmund – FC St. Pauli 3:2 (1:0)
Borussia Dortmund struggled against the new bottom-placed FC St. Pauli, but ultimately won 3-2. Julian Brandt brought it BVB They only took the lead in stoppage time in the first half (45th+1), before Karim Adeyemi increased it to 2-0 after the break (54th).
However, St. Pauli came back and equalized through James Sands (61′) and substitute Ricky-Jade Jones (72′). Dortmund’s defense once again showed major weaknesses, and overall the hosts’ performance remained flawed for long stretches. Only the late penalty decided the game in favor of BVB.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz was among the spectators in the stadium for the first time since he took office. Dortmund was unable to convince in terms of play in the game, but narrowly managed to secure a victory. On the first matchday, Dortmund lost a 3-1 lead with a 3-3 draw in the first leg.
Hamburger SV – Borussia Mönchengladbach 0:0 (0:0)
Hamburger SV did not get beyond a 0-0 draw in the home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach despite their clear superiority. Against long stretches of weak guests, the Hanseatic team missed numerous opportunities and failed to move further away from the relegation zone. At least HSV remained unbeaten in their seventh home game in a row.
In front of 57,000 spectators in the sold-out Volksparkstadion, Hamburg dominated the first half in particular. The Hamburg team missed several chances to score with Vieira (14th), Capaldo against Nicolas (20th) and Remberg (26th). In the 28th minute of the game, Gladbach also failed at their first opportunity with Tabaković. Königsdörffer, Capaldo, Remberg and Muheim also missed some of the best opportunities, and Gladbach’s goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas prevented them from taking the lead several times.
The guests from Gladbach, unsettled again after the 5-1 defeat in Hoffenheim, only came dangerously in front of the HSV goal once. Even after the break, Gladbach remained prone to errors, but HSV hardly created any clear chances.
VfL Wolfsburg – 1. FC Heidenheim 1:1 (0:1)
VfL Wolfsburg only managed a 1-1 draw against 1. FC Heidenheim at the start of the second half of the season. In stoppage time in the first half, Heidenheim’s Adrian Beck was able to put the guests in the lead (45th + 1).
The game remained uneventful for long stretches and only became more dynamic later in the first half. Heidenheim improved as the game progressed, but missed the lead through Mathias Honsak (35th) and a little later took advantage of an inadequate Wolfsburg defensive action, which Beck converted into a goal. Wolfsburg found it difficult to bring structure into their own game. After the break, VfL increased the pressure, but failed several times due to Heidenheim’s goalkeeper Ramaj or their own chances. In the final phase, Jenz scored the equalizer with a header, and Wolfsburg then pushed for victory without any further gain.
Wolfsburg remains winless in three of the last four league games, and it is the fifth game without a win for Heidenheim.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim – Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1:0 (1:0)
Bayer Leverkusen started the new Bundesliga year with another defeat, losing 0-1 (0-1) to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Wouter Burger scored the decisive goal for the hosts in the 9th minute, who celebrated their sixth home win in a row. Hoffenheim moved four points clear of the Werkself in the direct duel for the Champions League places.
Leverkusen hardly had any offensive activity and had no significant chances to score in the first half. Hoffenheim controlled the game, played variable offenses and missed a bigger lead on several occasions. Bayer keeper Mark Flekken looked unfortunate when conceding an early goal and had to be substituted later with an injury.
After the break, Leverkusen increased the pressure and had opportunities, but were denied by Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper Oliver Baumann or by converting their own chances. Patrik Schick missed two good opportunities to equalize. Overall, Hoffenheim remained the more active and stable team and earned the home win.
1. FC Cologne – 1. FSV Mainz 05 2:1 (0:1)
In the home game against FSV Mainz, 1. FC Köln ended their negative run and won 2-1 after falling behind. First Stefan Bell (29th) gave Mainz the lead, Ragnar Ache scored for Cologne in the 57th minute and was able to extend the lead in the 85th minute.
Mainz initially took control of the game, but also missed several opportunities thanks to Tietz and Katompa. Cologne seemed unsettled in the first half, but appeared much more confident in the second half.
It is the first victory for coach Lukas Kwasniok’s Cologne team since the beginning of November. For Mainz, however, it is the first defeat under coach Urs Fischer, who took over the team at the beginning of December. Cologne can increase its distance from the relegation places with the home win to 10th place in the table, Mainz slips to 17th place in the table.
Read Friday’s match report here.
