Bayern Munich slip up again but Javier Hernandez helps sink their big rivals Borussia Dortmund in impressive victory for Bayer Leverkusen
Carlo Ancelotti's champs still below their best as they drop points for the first time as unbeaten FC Koln hold them
BORUSSIA DORTMUND failed to take advantage of two points dropped by BAYERN MUNICH in a 2-0 defeat to BAYER LEVERKUSEN in this weekend’s Bundesliga.
In Thomas Tuchel’s first defeat to Roger Schmidt’s ambitious side, the Bay Arena club harassed and bullied the black and yellows off the pitch for the best part of 90 minutes.
An opening goal from Admir Mehmedi and a second-half header from Javier Hernandez - his seventh in eight games this season - proved enough to take all three points from DORTMUND on a decisive match day that could have seen then gain ground on BAYERN.
Indeed, Carlo Ancelotti’s side haven’t been anywhere near their best in the Bundesliga this season and when they came up against a stubborn FC KOLN side, that have yet to lose in the league so far, they were certainly put to the test.
Although the Bavarian giants bagged an opening goal through Joshua Kimmich just before half time, it was powerful striker Anthony Modeste who stole the headlines with a wonderfully-finished volley just after the hour mark.
If Simon Zoller had finished his break-away one-on-one against Manuel Neuer in stoppage time it would and perhaps should have been all three points for Peter Stöger’s side.
Once again, the German champions looked far below the high bar they set for themselves each season.
Elsewhere, BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH will have plenty to think about over the international break with a 4-0 defeat in Gelsenkirchen confirming that coach Andre Schubert has now only picked up seven points from the club’s last 14 away games.
The win for SCHALKE was also their first points on the board this season, after five miserable defeats for new coach Markus Weinzierl had not only undermined the good work he and new sporting director Christian Heidel had hoped to do but could have jeopardised his role at the club entirely if it had continued.
Elsewhere, WERDER BREMEN interim coach Alexander Nouri earned himself a full-time contract at the club with a 2-2 draw away to DARMSTADT - and four points from his first two games - proving enough to the board to suggest that he's the right man for the job to get the best out of Serge Gnabry & Co.
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Germany’s most hated club continued their undefeated run this weekend with a 2-1 win over relegation contenders AUGSBURG.
A second half goal from young Danish talent Yussuf Poulsen confirmed all three points for RB LEIPZIG and Ralph Hasenhüttl to continue an undefeated run that keeps them in fifth place, level on points with DORTMUND.
Indeed if Tuchel’s side are intent on dropping the ball whenever opportunity comes their way, neutral fans may find some hope in HERTHA BERLIN.
Despite losing to BAYERN last week, the capital side have since bounced back with a draw in FRANKFURT and now a 2-0 win over HAMBURG.
Although coach Pal Dardai would of course laugh off any suggestions of being dark horses in this season’s title race, he will be happy to point out that many pundits predicted his side would tumble back down the table after spending much of last season in the top four.
Saturday’s win now has HERTHA second in the league table, with DORTMUND to come after the international break.