Bundesliga Wrap, Matchday 21

By Sammy Wejinya

Bayern Munich have stretched their lead at the summit of the German Bundesliga standings to nine points as they came out on top in a five-goal thriller against RasenBallsport Leipzig in the standout fixture of matchday 21 of the 2021-22 campaign.

Thomas Müller opened the scoring at Allianz Arena on 12 minutes but Andre Silva levelled matters on 27 minutes. Robert Lewandowski then netted his 23rd goal in the league this term to give Julian Nagelsmann’s side the lead just before half-time.

However, Leipzig refused to stay down as Christopher Nkunku levelled the contest once again with a goal in the 53rd minute but five minutes later, an own goal from Josko Gvardiol handed Bayern maximum points.

The win leaves the Bavarians with 52 points on the log while Leipzig have dropped to seventh with 31 points.

Meanwhile, second-placed Borussia Dortmund are the main reason Bayern increased their points gap – following their 2-5 home defeat at the hands of third-placed Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Own goals from both sides in the opening 16 minutes – first from Manuel Akanji (10′) and Jeremie Frimpong (16′) sparked early fireworks.

However, Leverkusen turned up the heat in style and in exhilarating fashion at Signal Iduna Park thanks to goals from Florian Wirtz (20′), Robert Andrich (28′), Jonathan Tah (53′) and Moussa Diaby (87′). Steffen Tigges scored what would be a consolation goal for Dortmund a minute before the end of normal time as they could not increase their tally of 43 points and Leverkusen are five points immediately behind.

Union Berlin are still fourth despite their 0-2 loss at 16th placed FC Augsburg.

Micheal Gregoritsch opened the scoring on 16 minutes and Andre Hahn secured the points a minute before the hourmark.

The win takes Augsburg – who still occupy the relegation playoff spot – level on points (22) with 15th placed Arminia Bielefeld.

Bielefeld were held to a one-all draw by 13th placed Borussia Möchengladbach as Alassane Plea’s goal in the 38th minute cancelled out Janni Serra’s opener on 19 minutes.

1. FC Köln have risen to sixth on the log after Anthony Modeste’s 23rd minute goal helped them to a 1-0 victory over fifth-placed SC Freiburg.

Following the win, Köln have moved to within a point and a place off Freiburg as the maximum points gained takes them to 33 for the season.

10th placed 1. FSV Mainz 05 recorded a 2-0 win over eighth placed 1899 Hoffenheim.

Late goals from Jae-Sung Lee (79′) and a penalty from Moussa Niakhaté (83′) were enough to increase Mainz’s total number of points to 31 this term — one behind Hoffenheim.

Ninth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt capitalized on Hoffenheim’s slip to move level on points thanks to their 3-2 win over 17th placed VfB Stuttgart.

Evan Ndicka broke the deadlock with a goal for Frankfurt on seven minutes but they were pegged back three minutes before halftime, no thanks to Waldemar Anton’s goal.

Following the restart, Adjin Hrustic’s goal two minutes after the break put Frankfurt in front once more but Sasa Kalajdzic levelled the scores against in the 70th minute. Despite that, Hrustic was the hero as he netted in the 77th minute to compound Stuttgart’s woes as they sit four points from safety after amassing 18 points.

Friday night football saw 14th placed Hertha BSC and 11th placed VfL Bochum share the spoils in a game which finished 1-1.

Ishak Belfodil’s goal in the 23rd minute was not enough for Hertha as Sebastian Polter equalised for Bochum on 48 minutes.

Bochum have now amassed 25 points this season and two more better than Hertha who have 23 points.

VfL Wolfsburg recorded an all important 4-1 win against bottom placed SpVgg Greuther Fürth to round up activities on Sunday.

Aster Vrancxx scored twice as Maximilian Phillip and Maximilian Arnold also made goalscoring contributions as Wolfsburg moved up to 12th with 24 points while Fürth remain rooted to the bottom of the log with 10 points.

Comprehensive results of matchday 21

Friday, February 4, 2022
Hertha BSC 1-1 VfL Bochum

Saturday, February 5, 2022
Arminia Bielefeld 1-1 Borussia Möchengladbach
VfB Stuttgart 2-3 Eintracht Frankfurt

1. FSV Mainz 05 2-0 1899 Hoffenheim
2. FC Köln 1-0 SC Freiburg
   FC Augsburg 2-0 1. FC Union Berlin
   Bayern Munich 3-2 RasenBallsport Leipzig

Sunday, February 6, 2022
Borussia Dortmund 2-5 Bayer 04 Leverkusen
VfL Wolfsburg 4-1 Greuther Fürth