Bundesliga round-up: RB Leipzig still top dogs as star striker dives for penalty while Bayern Munich maintain chase with away win
Borussia Dortmund fire four past Borussia Monchengladbach to keep pressure on top five
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TWO of the German Bundesliga’s most troubled clubs took important steps towards putting distance between themselves and the very real threat of relegation this weekend.
After settling for a point apiece last weekend in the Norrderby, both Werder Bremen and Hamburg picked up all thee points points in crucial clashes with fellow relegation battlers to show a glimmer of hope just weeks before the winter break.
Bremen had Fin Bartels to thank on Saturday when an assist and goal proved enough to see them past Ingosltadt in a 2-1 win - their first victory in six Bundesliga games and some breathing space for coach Alexander Nouri as his side now move up to fourteenth.
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Like any rivalry, Hamburg seemed intent on showing up their neighbours with a 2-0 win away to Darmstadt the following day - their first win in the Bundesliga in over 200 days and the clearest sign yet that new coach Markus Gisdol may be slowly but surely turning things around at the only club in Germany to have never missed a single season of the German top flight.
Interestingly enough, Bremen and Hamburg were the only clubs outside of the top six to actually win this weekend as some of the more in-form sides took advantage of soft mid-table opposition.
Hertha Berlin compounded more misery on a truly troubled Wolfsburg, Borussia Dortmund thrashed Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-1 and Hoffenheim humbled a Köln side that have looked far from their best for quite some time.
In the title race we saw more of the same as RB Leipzig continued to bat away any notion of the status quo, while Bayern Munich made hard work of overcoming an inconsistent Mainz side as they continue to comprehend the very notion of sitting in second place.
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Mainz fans would have been reminded of the upset they caused at the Allianz Arena in March, in a match they unexpectedly won 2-1, when Jhon Cordoba opened the scoring just four minutes in to the game with a strong run and finish.
Unfortunately for the home fans any hope of a repeat performance was short lived when Robert Lewandowski equalised just four minutes later, before a diving header from Arjen Robben stole the lead before half time. The Polish striker would then confirm all three points with a wonderful free kick in the dying minutes of the game.
Indeed Bayern fans would have in turn been cheering on Schalke on Saturday night when they travelled to Leipzig with an impressive run of form that had seen them go undefeated in their last 12 games in all competitions.
However that too was short lived when just one minute in to the game striker Timo Werner dived in the box to earn his side a penalty. To then add weight to the notion that misfortune dogged Schalke on the night, in-form left-back Sead Kolasinac then equalised 30 minutes in to the game only to then score an own goal just after half time and seal the win for the home team.
In the midst of staunch reports suggesting he may one day replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, Ralph Hasenhüttl continues to earn applause and respect as his team pass each test thrown at them in the German top flight. Even if it is to the tune of disgruntled complaints from opposing fans across the country.
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