Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 victory over Union Berlin keeps the pressure on the defending German champions’ quest for an 11th consecutive Bundesliga championship. Bayern Munich had an opportunity to exact retribution after being defeated by Freiburg 2-1 in the German Cup on Tuesday, but they lacked fluidity despite new coach Thomas Tuchel fielding an attack-oriented lineup. Bayern’s greatest opportunity of the first half came from Sadio Mane, who was starting for the first time under Tuchel and beat goalkeeper Mark Flekken but chipped inches wide.
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Ritsu Doan’s attempt rebounded against the underside of the bar right before halftime, giving Freiburg an opportunity of their own. Early in the second half, Bayern Munich took the lead thanks to a De Ligt long-range shot that deflected slightly and flew past a helpless Flekken. Late on, Freiburg came close to tying the score, but Bayern goalie Yann Sommer blocked a Roland Sallai shot to maintain the visitors’ lead. De Ligt stated, “We had several chances and should have taken them better, but thankfully we did not give up a goal.
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Before to Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Manchester City, Bayern Munich has two victories and a loss under Tuchel. Dortmund edged Union in a tight contest thanks to a late goal from substitute Youssoufa Moukoko. With his third goal in as many games, Malen headed in a close-range Raphael Guerreiro cross to give Dortmund the lead midway through the first half. In classic Union fashion, Kevin Behrens tied the score with the visitors’ first shot on goal.
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With 15 minutes left, Dortmund coach Edin Terzic substituted captain Marco Reus and young attacker Moukoko, and the two combined for an important goal in Dortmund’s attempt to topple Bayern as league champions. When you walk in, decide the game, Terzic allegedly remarked, according to Moukoko. He continued, “I could smell it; it was striker’s instinct. Amine Adli, Moussa Diaby, and Sardar Azmoun scored in a 3-1 home victory over Eintracht Frankfurt for Bayer Leverkusen, which allowed them to overtake their opponents and move up to sixth.
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With 15 minutes left, Djibril Sow of Frankfurt scored to put Frankfurt within one, but Leverkusen held on to win their sixth straight league game. The victory maintains Leverkusen, who have had an incredible turnaround under coach Xabi Alonso since taking over in October with the team in last place, on pace for the Champions League spots.
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In other matches, Cologne defeated Augsburg 3-1 thanks to goals from Ellyes Skhiri, Eric Martel, and Linton Maina. This was the team’s first victory since February. With a 2-2 home draw against Werder Bremen, with both teams scoring twice in the final five minutes, Mainz’s late-season push for a Europa League spot suffered a setback. In the late game on Saturday, RB Leipzig will play Hertha Berlin in Berlin.
