Bundesliga
Bayer saves super series – Leipzig wins top game
Leverkusen’s Josip Stanisic (lr), Odilon Kossounou and goal scorer Robert Andrich celebrate after scoring the 2-2 equalizer
© Marius Becker / DPA
Bayer Leverkusen almost got it – but the champions didn’t lose again. RB Leipzig currently has the best chance of finishing fourth in the table. FC Bayern succeeds in the dress rehearsal for the Champions League.
Leverkusen (81 points) and Bayern (69) are certainly qualified for the premier class next season, Stuttgart (64) almost. Leipzig (62) has the best chance of fourth place, although Dortmund (57) can also hope to finish fifth this season, as the Bundesliga has an additional starting place via the UEFA rankings for the current European Cup season.
Meanwhile, SC Freiburg suffered a setback in the race for international business with a 1:2 (1:0) draw against VfL Wolfsburg, who are now hardly in danger of relegation. Freiburg also benefited from the 0:3 (0:0) defeat of their pursuers FC Augsburg against Werder Bremen.
Bayer Leverkusen is only behind
Leverkusen fell behind after the break thanks to Stuttgart’s Chris Führich’s goal (47th). Deniz Undav (57th) increased early. Amine Adli (61st) scored the first goal. Leverkusen created further chances before Andrich (90+6) was successful late on from a free kick.
Star striker Harry Kane (9th minute and 61st/foul penalty) ensured Bayern’s victory with his goals 34 and 35 this season. Hugo Ekitiké equalized for Eintracht after a fine individual effort. Konrad Laimer (28th) and Matthijs de Ligt (46th), who had been conspicuous until then, had to be replaced injured. That could increase Munich’s personnel concerns before the big clash against Real.
Jadon Sancho gave Dortmund the lead with a remarkable shot in the 20th minute, but Loïs Openda quickly equalized (23rd). Benjamin Sesko made it 2-1 for RB in stoppage time in the first half. Directly after the restart, Mohamed Simakan (46th) followed up. Christoph Baumgartner (80th) made the final score.
An own goal from Wolfsburg’s Sebastiaan Bornauw (42nd) initially put Freiburg in the lead. But after a red card for Kiliann Sildillia (64′) for serious foul play, the hosts conceded the equalizer from Maximilian Arnold (82′). After Freiburg’s Roland Sallai (87th) missed a penalty shortly before the end, Maxence Lacroix (90th) scored Wolfsburg’s winning goal.
In Augsburg, Romano Schmid (52′) and Marvin Ducksch (61’/foul penalty) scored Olivier Deman’s (90′) victory for Bremen.