Agency Report –
Bayern Munich defeated Mainz 3-0 on Saturday, but the Bundesliga title race will go on as defending champions Bayer Leverkusen won 2-0 against Augsburg.
Bayern had the chance to wrap up their 34th national title – 33rd in the Bundesliga era – this weekend, but needed Leverkusen to drop points at home.
The gap between the teams remained eight points with three games left and the Bavarians will now take the trophy next weekend if they avoid defeat at RB Leipzig.
Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, took advantage of Mainz’s defeat and entered the European places with a 3-2 win in stoppage time at Hoffenheim.
Elsewhere, lowly Holstein Kiel claimed a sensational 4-3 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach, while Freiburg defeated 10-man VfL Wolfsburg 1-0. In the late game, Eintracht Frankfurt thrashed Leipzig 4-0.
Bayern’s title party must wait
After winning 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles between 2013 and 2023, Bayern were dethroned last season by Leverkusen. They look set to reclaim the crown, but the title party will have to wait at least until next weekend.
The Bavarians went ahead against Mainz through Leroy Sané in the 27th minute.
Things got a little clumsy in the box after Sané received a pass from Konrad Laimer, but he managed to dribble the defenders and find the net.
Michael Olise doubled their lead in the 39th, with a beautiful footwork to beat the defender before slotting the ball into the net.
Sané got close to a brace in the 62nd, but was denied by the post, before Eric Dier’s header completed the win in the 84th.
“It was an important victory today, that’s the main thing. On Saturday we’ll have the big chance to win the title. It was a big step today. I’m happy with the result and the match,” said forward Harry Kane, who’s bidding to win the first major title of his career.
Bayern icon Thomas Müller came on shortly before Dier’s goal to make his 500th Bundesliga appearance. The 35-year-old is likely on his farewell tour in the league as his contract with Bayern expires this summer and he won’t receive a new deal.
Leverkusen won’t go down without a fight
The defending champions showed that they will fight until the last moment when they took the lead against Augsburg in the 13th minute – when the Bayern v Mainz game was still 0-0.
In a lethal counter-attack, Nathan Tella received the ball from Florian Wirtz and served Patrik Schick, who smashed it home from outside the box.
Shortly before the break, a cleared ball was worked to Emiliano Buendia, who found a shooting angle to hit the far corner.
Augsburg were never a real threat as Leverkusen just controlled the game in the second half.
Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich admitted that he would be lying if he said that the rumours over the future of coach Xabi Alonso don’t affect the team.
Alonso has been constantly linked to a move to Real Madrid despite having a contract with Leverkusen until 2026.
“I have to say that overall there is a lot of noise around the team, and you notice that as a player. I would be lying if I said it didn’t affect us, because it’s obvious that he either stays or goes,” Andrich said.
Dortmund claim dramatic win
Dortmund needed a stoppage-time goal from Waldemar Anton to take an important victory in the fight for the European spots at Hoffenheim.
The guests went ahead in the 20th minute after a lengthy video review confirmed Serhou Guirassy’s goal, but the forward had a penalty saved by Oliver Baumann in the 34th.
Adam Hlozek levelled for Hoffenheim in the 61st, but Dortmund retook the lead through Julian Brandt in the 74th.
The game was not over yet, as the hosts hit back and Pavel Kaderabek thought he had snatched at least a point for Hoffenheim in the first minute of stoppage-time.
But it was Anton who had the final word after receiving the ball from Guirassy.
Goalkeeper Baumann was injured in the play and Hoffenheim wanted the goal ruled out, but video review confirmed Dortmund’s win.
“It was a scandalous decision,” Hoffenheim coach Christian Ilzer said.
In the fight for the Champions League, Ansgar Knauff’s brace, Hugo Ekitike and Robin Koch led third-placed Frankfurt to a 4-0 win over now fifth-placed Leipzig.
Leipzig were down to 10 men since the 50th minute after El Chadaille Bitshiabu was sent off. They lost their fourth-placed position, therefore the last Champions League spot, to Freiburg.
Drama also in Kiel
Relegated-threatened Kiel took a 2-0 lead against Gladbach in the first 23 minutes thanks to Shuto Machino and Alexander Bernhardsson.
Second-half goals from Tomas Cvancara and Alassane Plea equalized the score, before Kiel went again ahead in the 76th through Armin Gigovic.
Gladbach once more levelled as Franck Honorat found the net in the 86th, but Machino completed the hard-fought and crucial win for Kiel in stoppage time.
Kiel are still in the drop zone, but moved up to 17th and are three points from the play-off spot.
On Sunday, Bochum host Union Berlin and St Pauli visit Werder Bremen.
By Nathalia Araújo
