FC Bayern has impressively continued its winning streak even after a short-term loss of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and defended its lead in the Bundesliga table. The Munich team beat the almost helpless SV Werder Bremen 5-0 (2-0) away and celebrated the fourth win in four league games under new coach Vincent Kompany.
Behind the record champions, SC Freiburg moved up with nine points thanks to a 3-0 (0-0) win at 1. FC Heidenheim, and 1. FC Union Berlin came in third with eight points. The Irons, who are still unbeaten, beat TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 2-1 (2-0) at the An der Alten Försterei stadium. In the duel between the previously pointless promoted teams, Holstein Kiel saved its first Bundesliga point at VfL Bochum thanks to a late goal to make it 2-2 (1-2).
This evening, however, Eintracht Frankfurt (6 points) can move up again. The Hessians will host Borussia Mönchengladbach at 6.30 p.m. On Sunday, champions Bayer Leverkusen will play against VfL Wolfsburg, VfB Stuttgart against Borussia Dortmund and FC St. Pauli against RB Leipzig. At the start of the matchday, FSV Mainz 05 won 3-2 against FC Augsburg on Friday evening.
Even without Neuer – sovereign Bayern
In Bremen, before kick-off, Manuel Neuer attracts attentionHe had to sit out. His thigh had shown a slight reaction, the record champions said. Neuer sustained a minor injury on Tuesday evening in the 9:2 Champions League win against Dinamo Zagreb.
Sven Ulreich moved into goal for him against Werder and saw his teammates put on a lot of pressure with 78 percent possession in the first quarter of an hour. Michael Olise scored first (23′), before Jamal Musiala (32′) struck less than ten minutes later. In the second half, Harry Kane (57′), Olise (60′) and Serge Gnabry (65′) increased the lead.
Union got off to a flying start in Berlin. The hosts took the lead in the fourth minute through Tom Rothe. 120 seconds later, coach Bo Svensson’s team were two goals ahead of a disappointing Hoffenheim side. Wooyeong Jeong scored the next early goal. The visitors ended up losing the game for the third time this season, although Marius Bülter (67′) scored to bring the score back. TSG have only managed one win so far.
First point for Kiel
In the 2000/2001 season, the then Bundesliga newcomer Energie Cottbusto achieve the first victory in the fourth game after three defeats. And at least at the beginning, things were looking good for Kiel. In the 15th minute, they took the lead in Bochum thanks to a goal from Benedikt Pichler. But long before the break, VfL had already turned the game around again thanks to goals from Mats Berg (22nd) and Lukas Daschner (35th). In the 89th minute, Shuto Machino saved the league newcomer’s first point in the top flight.
Freiburgers turn up the heat in the second half
The score was 0:0 in Heidenheim. 20 minutes after the restart, the game was over. After Ritsu Doan took the lead in the 54th minute, Vincenzo Grifo sealed the deal with a brace (59th and 65th). (dpa)
