This 31st matchday began with hustle and bustle for FC Bayern: coach Thomas Tuchel was confronted on the Sky microphone with criticism from honorary president Uli Hoeneß about his work with young players – and contradicted it. “I have very little understanding of that. I find it absolutely baseless, but okay,” said the 50-year-old, admitting that Hoeneß’ words scratched his “deepest understanding” as a coach.
The lead by Harry Kane may have brought him a little satisfaction. After Konrad Laimer didn’t allow himself to be stopped by two, three, four Frankfurters and then played a cross pass on the edge of the penalty area, Kane slotted in for his 34th Bundesliga goal. Big cheers – followed by two setbacks. In the 23rd minute, Hugo Ekitiké equalized out of nowhere. And five minutes later, Laimer had to be treated and then replaced. Jamal Musiala was already out on Saturday: “It’s a tendon irritation that’s really hindering him,” explained Tuchel about the German international. “Now we’re giving everything for Tuesday.”
And then it was Kane again who brightened the mood of the Bayern supporters in the arena. Frankfurt’s Robin Koch had extended his arm against Thomas Müller in the penalty area. But (luckily for Koch) there was a yellow card and a penalty, which Kane confidently converted to make it 2-1 – and thus ensured a successful dress rehearsal before the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
RB Leipzig – Borussia Dortmund 4:1 (2:1), 0:1 Jaden Sancho (20th), 1:1 Loïs Openda (23rd), 2:1 Benjamin Sesko (45th + 2), 3:1 Mohamed Simakan (46th), 4:1 Christoph Baumgartner (80th). )
The explosiveness had subsided somewhat before this meeting between fourth-placed Leipzig and fifth-placed Dortmund, as both clubs are expected to be represented in the Champions League next season. Nevertheless, both teams approached the supposed final for fourth place in the league with a lot of seriousness, initially even outdoing each other in producing impressive goals. First BVB created a picture of a goal – Jadon Sancho hit the right corner from the left corner of the penalty area – then Leipzig countered with Xavi Simons and an outside cross to Loïs Openda, who pushed the ball over the line.
In general, Xavi: Shortly afterwards he scooped the ball off Nico Schlotterbeck’s foot, dribbled before his shot hit the inside post. Leipzig got their deserved second goal in stoppage time in the first half. Kobel let Schlager’s shot clap at the feet of Benjamin Sesko, who scored from a few meters.
Just a minute after the break, things continued in this vein: This time, Xavi provided the deep pass, Openda served Mohamed Simakan, again from the outside of his foot – 3-1. Leipzig continued to press and push, shots and crosses flew at the Dortmund goal from all angles. BVB – four days before the premier class semi-final against Paris – only set out to repair the result around 20 minutes before the end of the game. Instead, Christoph Baumgartner used one of Leipzig’s many counterattacks to make it 4-1. Five points behind fourth place, three match days before the end: It is probably the biggest blow in the league so far for Dortmund in an already bumpy season.
Sc freiburg – VfL Wolfsburg 1:2 (1:0), 1:0 Sebastiaan Bornauw (42nd, own goal), 1:1 Maximilian Arnold (82nd), 1:2 Maxence Lacroix (90th) – Special incidents: Red for Kiliann Sildillia (64th), Sallai awards a penalty (87th). )
Curious game progression in Freiburg: SC should have already won the game at halftime. After just five minutes, Michael Gregoritsch shot from the edge of the penalty area, only the bottom edge of the crossbar saved Wolfsburg. Shortly afterwards, VfL was back in touch with the aluminum, and Ridle Baku’s attempt to clear the ball almost ended up in their own goal. Shortly before the break, a Wolfsburg player caused cheers in Breisgau: Ritsu Doan played from half-right into the middle, where VfL defender Sebastiaan Bornauw tipped the ball into the near corner against the direction of his goalkeeper.
The Freiburg team then destroyed their good work: after a good hour, defender Kiliann Sildillia attacked Kevin Paredes with his leg stretched out – a nasty kick. Even Sildillia didn’t protest against the red card. Freiburg was even lucky that Roland Sallai wasn’t also thrown off the pitch for a serious foul.
Wolfsburg then pressed without creating any clear chances to score. Only a precise free kick from captain Maximilian Arnold equalized around ten minutes before the end. But despite being outnumbered, a Freiburg victory was suddenly possible again: VfL goalkeeper Koen Casteels came too late against Lucas Höler and caused a penalty. Sallai stepped up, slipped with his supporting leg and shot the ball well over the goal. Just minutes later, VfL celebrated: a fantastic long-range shot from defender Maxence Lacroix hit the top corner – and secured Wolfsburg three points in the relegation battle in a heated game.
FC Augsburg – SV Werder Bremen 0:3 (0:0), 0:1 Romano Schmid (52nd), 0:2 Marvin Ducksch (61st, penalty kick), 0:3 Oliver Deman (90th)
In the 1973/74 season, FC Augsburg became champions in the Regionalliga Süd – at the time the second highest division in the country. To mark the 50th title anniversary, Augsburg wore special jerseys against Werder Bremen on Saturday. And this side note was almost the most interesting thing about the first half.
The second section began eventfully: Marvin Ducksch’s free kick cross, this time Romano Schmid scored directly at the far post to give Bremen the lead. Just a few minutes later, FCA defender Patric Pfeiffer, who had been substituted at half-time, was run over by Felix Agu in the penalty area and then clumsily brought him down. Ducksch converted the penalty that was due, and shortly before the end Joker Oliver Deman even headed it in to make it 3-0. Augsburg lost points in the fight for the European Cup and Werder is now almost certain to stay in the league with their second win in a row.