Borussia Dortmund secured a comfortable 2-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt. With 39 points to their name, Dortmund have reduced the gap to sixth-placed Augsburg to just three points as they close in on the Europa League places.
Dortmund were in control from the start and looked to put pressure on Frankfurt's defence. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted a penalty to give the hosts a lead after Timothy Chandler handled the ball in the area. The Gabon-striker was back in the spotlight for Dortmund's second goal, outpacing Carlos Zambrano before teeing up Shinji Kagawa, who slotted home shortly before half time. No goals were scored in the second half but the Dortmund fans were still given something to celebrate, as Germany international Marco Reus made his comeback following a groin injury as he came on as a substitute.
Köln salvage point from Rhein-derby with Leverkusen
Bayer 04 Leverkusen were held to a 1-1 draw in Cologne in the Rhein-derby with 1. FC Köln and therefore failed to extend their lead over fourth-placed Gladbach, who play Wolfsburg on Sunday. Köln are currently sitting safely in mid-table on 34 points.
The hosts looked to be compact at the back and close down the space available to Leverkusen, as Roger Schmidt's side struggled to create chances. Just before half time, referee Deniz Aytekin awarded Leverkusen a soft penalty after a challenge from Maroh on Kießling. U21 Germany international Timo Horn saved Hakan Calhanoglu's spot-kick as the teams went into half time with the score still level.
The second half continued in the same way, with Leverkusen pushing forward before U19 international Julian Brandt rewarded their efforts as he fired the visitors in front on the hour mark. Köln threw everything forward in the closing stages of the game and Bard Finne scored an equaliser with less than ten minutes remaining.
Stuttgart squander two goal advantage against Freiburg
VfB Stuttgart suffered a setback in their quest to avoid relegation after only managing a 2-2 draw with Freiburg, despite having held a 2-0 lead at one point. A victory would have seen Huub Stevens' men climb to 16th place and draw level on points with Freiburg.
Striker Daniel Ginczek opened the scoring midway through the first half before Martin Harnik doubled Stuttgart's lead just a few minutes later. The intensity increased in the second half with Nils Petersen grabbing a goal for the visitors shortly before the hour mark. Shortly after, Stuttgart were reduced to ten men as Adam Hlousek was sent off for a second bookable offense. Freiburg were on top at that point and Nils Petersen bagged his second goal of the match to earn SCF a point in the derby with Stuttgart.
Lasogga double gives Hamburg renewed hope in relegation battle
Hamburger SV ended a nine game winless run by securing a 3-2 home victory against FC Augsburg. HSV got off the bottom of the table with the win and currently find themselves in the relegation play-off spot on 28 points. Augsburg on the other hand suffered another setback in their quest to qualify for the Europa League.
Borussia Dortmund secured a comfortable 2-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt. With 39 points to their name, Dortmund have reduced the gap to sixth-placed Augsburg to just three points as they close in on the Europa League places.
Dortmund were in control from the start and looked to put pressure on Frankfurt's defence. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted a penalty to give the hosts a lead after Timothy Chandler handled the ball in the area. The Gabon-striker was back in the spotlight for Dortmund's second goal, outpacing Carlos Zambrano before teeing up Shinji Kagawa, who slotted home shortly before half time. No goals were scored in the second half but the Dortmund fans were still given something to celebrate, as Germany international Marco Reus made his comeback following a groin injury as he came on as a substitute.
Köln salvage point from Rhein-derby with Leverkusen
Bayer 04 Leverkusen were held to a 1-1 draw in Cologne in the Rhein-derby with 1. FC Köln and therefore failed to extend their lead over fourth-placed Gladbach, who play Wolfsburg on Sunday. Köln are currently sitting safely in mid-table on 34 points.
The hosts looked to be compact at the back and close down the space available to Leverkusen, as Roger Schmidt's side struggled to create chances. Just before half time, referee Deniz Aytekin awarded Leverkusen a soft penalty after a challenge from Maroh on Kießling. U21 Germany international Timo Horn saved Hakan Calhanoglu's spot-kick as the teams went into half time with the score still level.
The second half continued in the same way, with Leverkusen pushing forward before U19 international Julian Brandt rewarded their efforts as he fired the visitors in front on the hour mark. Köln threw everything forward in the closing stages of the game and Bard Finne scored an equaliser with less than ten minutes remaining.
Stuttgart squander two goal advantage against Freiburg
VfB Stuttgart suffered a setback in their quest to avoid relegation after only managing a 2-2 draw with Freiburg, despite having held a 2-0 lead at one point. A victory would have seen Huub Stevens' men climb to 16th place and draw level on points with Freiburg.
Striker Daniel Ginczek opened the scoring midway through the first half before Martin Harnik doubled Stuttgart's lead just a few minutes later. The intensity increased in the second half with Nils Petersen grabbing a goal for the visitors shortly before the hour mark. Shortly after, Stuttgart were reduced to ten men as Adam Hlousek was sent off for a second bookable offense. Freiburg were on top at that point and Nils Petersen bagged his second goal of the match to earn SCF a point in the derby with Stuttgart.
Lasogga double gives Hamburg renewed hope in relegation battle
Hamburger SV ended a nine game winless run by securing a 3-2 home victory against FC Augsburg. HSV got off the bottom of the table with the win and currently find themselves in the relegation play-off spot on 28 points. Augsburg on the other hand suffered another setback in their quest to qualify for the Europa League.
Winter break signing Ivica Olic scored the opener, deflecting a shot from Zoltan Stieber into the back of the net. It was his first goal since returning to his former club. Hamburg were looking to extend their lead and Pierre-Michel Lasogga doubled their advantage with less than twenty minutes on the clock. Just five minutes later however, Hamburg once again displayed why they are struggling so much this season, as a completely unmarked Raúl Bobadilla pulled one back for Augsburg following a free kick from Tobias Werner.
The same two players combined for the equaliser, but this time Bobadilla provided the assist for Werner midway through the second half. Hamburg responded immediately and went back in front when Lasogga's powerful volley from close range found the back of the net to give HSV a much needed victory.
Hannover's struggles continue with Frontzeck on the sidelines
Michael Frontzeck was unable to win his first game in charge of Hannover 96 as his side lost 2-1 at home to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The visitors enjoyed a perfect start with Anthony Modeste bagging a goal in the opening minute of the game. Hannover drew level when skipper Lars Stindl converted a penalty, but Sven Schipplock scored a late goal to give Hoffenheim a 2-1 victory on the road.
