Bundesliga record champions FC Bayern München continued their march towards the title on matchday 28, securing a narrow but fully deserved 1-0 home victory over relegation candidates Eintracht Frankfurt. Borussia Dortmund will be able to close the gap back down to five points with their match against Werder Bremen on Saturday evening. FC Schalke 04 on the other hand dropped points in the race to Europe, suffering a 3-0 defeat at FC Ingolstadt.
1. FSV Mainz 05 recorded a 4-2 victory in a turbulent encounter with FC Augsburg, while SV Darmstadt 98 were held to a 2-2 draw by VfB Stuttgart. Hannover 96 remain bottom after their 21st defeat of the season – a 3-0 home-loss to Hamburger SV.
Ribéry pulls off stunning finish
FC Bayern by no means had it easy against Eintracht Frankfurt but a spectacular bicycle-kick from Franck Ribéry, after Germany international Mario Götze forced a good save from Eintracht keeper Lukas Hradecky, gave the hosts the advantage after 20 minutes. Bayern continued to apply pressure for the rest of the match, but couldn’t find an opening for the second goal with the World Goalkeeper of the Year Manuel Neuer rarely forced into serious action.
Spectators in Mainz were presented with an entertaining encounter with Augsburg taking the lead from Cajuby after nine minutes. The hosts remained unimpressed and levelled the score just four minutes later through Christian Clemens. Pablo De Blasis fired Mainz in the lead midway through the first half, but Augsburg responded before the end of the first half, when former Mainz player Ja-Cheol Koo equalised.
The entertainment did not stop after the break. De Blasis bagged his second goal of the match to retain the lead for Mainz and while Augsburg were pushing for the equaliser, Clemens finished off a counter attack after 76 minutes, giving Mainz a 4-2 victory.
Ingolstadt prevail against Schalke
FC Schalke 04 looked the more active side in Ingolstadt during the early stages of the game, but chances from Germany U21 international Leon Goretzka and Franco di Santo didn’t amount to anything and instead the hosts took the lead from Moritz Hartmann’s converted penalty after 29 minutes. Lukas Hinterseer’s goal to make it 2-0 just before half-time served as a crucial blow to the Royal Blues, who could have jumped to fourth place with a victory. Dario Lezcano added a third goal to Ingolstadt’s lead after 65 minutes, who have now remained unbeaten at home since October of last year.
Darmstadt took the early lead against Stuttgart when U21 European Champion Sandro Wagner clinically converted after a miss-timed back pass from Serey Dié. However, Darmstadt conceded twice just before the break through Stuttgart skipper Christian Gentner and Lukas Rupp both hitting the back of the net. Seven minutes into the second half Peter Niemeyer levelled the score and Darmstadt continued to push for the winner, but were ultimately denied.
HSV increase pressure after the break
The game between Hannover 96 and Hamburger SV was a nervy affair for both sides in the early stages. Hannover, who have only managed one win under coach Thomas Schaaf, had more possession but struggled to create chances. Hamburg seemed more effective and after the break stormed into a three goal lead with Cleber, Ivo Ilicevic and Nicolai Müller on target between the 61st and 75th minute.