Matchday 12 in the Bundesliga provided an enthralling Der Klassiker, a humbling for RB Leipzig, first home wins of the campaign, and more Egyptian magic. Here is your recap and all the main talking points from matchday 12 in the Bundesliga.
Der Klassiker
The first klassiker of the season ended in a 1-1 draw in the Westfalenstadion. Nuri Şahin’s side remain unbeaten at home in the Bundesliga having won six and drawn one. It was BVB who weathered an early storm before a moment of magic from Jamie Gittens gave the hosts the league.
The Englishman let the ball roll between his legs and he skipped past Konrad Laimer just inside the Dortmund half. From there, Gittens simply couldn’t be caught as he bear down into the Bayern box before firing the ball beyond the helpless Manuel Neuer.
It’s not the first time this season Gittens has come up with special goals having already done so in the Champions League on more than one occasion. This feels like it could be a proper breakout season for the 20-year-old winger who might find himself in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad come March next year.
Things got even worse for Bayern when shortly after the goal, Harry Kane was forced off with a hamstring issue. It’s now been confirmed the England captain will miss Bayern’s DFB Pokal tie with Bayer Leverkusen this week.
Bayern looked much more threatening in the second half with BVB playing more defensively particularly in the final 20 minutes.
The pressure finally told when a reworked cross found an unmarked Jamal Musiala in the six yard box who headed the ball into the far corner of the net.
The match proves BVB can go toe-to-tie with one of the league’s best, they just need to follow it up away from home.
Leipzig Humbled
Coming off the back of another Champions League defeat (played five, lost five in Europe), the Saxons were hoping to put that right at home against VfL Wolfsburg.
However, after 4 minutes on the clock the hosts were already two goals down. Some home fans may not even have taken their seats and missed two goals.
The tie was all but over in the 15 minute when Wolfsburg made it three thanks to Mohamed Amoura’s second of the day.
Leipzig’s defence looked shocked and had no time to settle themselves. Similar to their loss in Glasgow a few weeks back, Leipzig looked unorganized and helpless to every attack.
With the score 0-3 at halftime, Leipzig could consider themselves lucky it wasn’t four or five. Wolfsburg were guilty of missing a hatful of 1-1s as they broke with devastation on the break.
Eventually Wolfsburg did make it 0-4 just beyond the hour mark from a corner kick. The hosts pulled one back before Wolfsburg found their fifth of the day in stoppage time.
With that thumping win, Wolfsburg are statistically one of the league’s most shot efficient teams.
For Leipzig, Marco Rose could be on borrowed time. He will be in charge for their DFB clash against Eintracht Frankfurt in the week but a similar performance will surely end in Rose’s dismissal.
Magic Marmoush
Eintracht Frankfurt closed the gap to Bayern Munich to four points on Sunday with a convincing 4-0 win over strugglers FC Heidenheim. Once again, it was Omar Marmoush who stole the headlines as he grabbed yet another brace for himself.
It’s been said before but Frankfurt are one of the most exciting teams to match this season. They’re scoring goals for fun, play attractive attacking football, and have Marmoush in the form of his life so far.
It remains to be seen whether Frankfurt can keep up this form but you wouldn’t put it past them. They’re lightning quick on the break and have technical players such as Hugo Larsson and Nathaniel Brown who can find that killer pass.
A big test against RB Leipzig is coming up midweek in the DFB Pokal before a home tie in the Bundesliga against FC Augsburg.
If you get the chance in the week, do give Frankfurt a watch, you won’t be disappointed.
Around The Grounds
Elsewhere, there was a first home win of the season for St. Pauli as they beat relegation rivals Holstein Kiel 3-1 at the Millerntor-Stadion. The win moves St. Pauli up into 15th.
Werder Bremen played out a well-earned 2-2 against VfB Stuttgart with both remaining midtable.
There were also wins for Bayer Leverkusen, FC Augaburg, SC Freiburg, and Mainz 05.
GGFN | Jamie Allen
