Bayern Munich defends top position at German Bundesliga
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Xinhua, January 29, 2012
German record champions Bayern Munich craved out an unspectacular 2-0 win over Wolfsburg to defend top position at the Bundesliga standings against defending champion Dortmund that humbled Hoffenheim 3-1 owing a brace by midfielder Shinji Kagawa on Saturday.
The Bavarians were under pressure as they had to maintain their chances to remain the lead of the division as they were equal on points with Dortmund and Schalke.
Thus, Bayern started with offensively minded against passive Wolfsburg that had no problems to sustain unimaginative Bayern actions throughout the first half.
It was then Bayern top striker Mario Gomez who seized the initiative at the 60th minute after a set by piece situation to open the scoring after he poked home a free kick, from very close range with a follow op shot. It is the 17th goal of the Bundesliga top score Mario Gomez who extends the gap to his opponents.
Just before end of the match Dutchmen midfielder Arjen Robben deflected a clearance attempt into the goal of the "Wolves" to seal the important but unimpressive 2-0 win at out sold Allianz Arena.
Bayern stays on top with 40 points while Wolfsburg remains on 9th position with 23 points.
Defending Bundesliga champion Borussia Dortmund earned the first win at Hoffenheim in division history. The "BVB" showed a powerful performance against over challenged and struggling Hoffenheim.
Dortmund midfielder, and Japanese international Shinji Kagwa had all time and space inside penalty area to slot home for the lead at the 16th minute. As Hoffenheim denied to play soccer Dortmund doubled the lead at the 31st minute through midfielder Kevin Groskreutz who exploited a cross unmarked inside penalty area.
The second half started as the first ended, Dortmund kept it bowling while Hoffenheim remained passive. Consequently Dortmund midfielder Kagawa was able to warp his brace when he utilized a Groskreutz assist at the 54th minute for the 3-0 lead.
Hoffenheim was able to shorten the score to 1-3 at the 62nd minute as defender Fabian Johnson ensured the consolation goal for his side.
Dortmund extends their unbeaten streak to 13 matches to remain on 2nd position ,equal on points with first positioned Bayern, but with a weaker goal difference whereas Hoffenheim resides on 8th position with 23 points.
Schalke ensured the fact that the top three teams have 40 points as they humiliated Cologne with a 4-1. Schalke came from behind as Cologne striker and German international Lukas Podolski hammered the opener from 18 meters. Schalke remained shocked with the early deficit but after break they turned up as striker Ciprian Marica donated a brace to make it 2-1 on the scoreboards.
At the 77th minute Cologne defender Miso Brecko weakened his team when he committed a professional foul inside penalty area to book a straight red card and penalty for Schalke which was converted by striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar. It is Huntelaars 16th goal of the season he is second positioned at the goal getter standings after Bayern striker Gomez.Schalke still had not enough, consequently midfielder Marco Hoeger netted a combination to mark the final 4-1 score.
Schalke stays on 3rd position with 40 points while Cologne slipped from 11th to 13th position with 21 points.
Bremen failed to defeat Leverkusen at the 8th match in row to share points after a 1-1 draw at Weser stadium.
Bremen staged a better first half thus Bremen top striker Claudio Pizzaro opened the scoring at the 29th minute. After the break Leverkusen turned up to level the score at the 57th minute through defender Stefan Reinartz.
Both sides stay on their positions, Bremen stick on 5th position with 31 points and Leverkusen on 6th with 30 points.
After the disastrous 5-1 loss last week against Dortmund Hamburg had to show a vital sign against Berlin. The guests from Hamburg opened the scoring at the 24th minute through Marcell Jansen who ensure silence at Berlin Olympia stadium with his opener. Hamburg showed a clinical chance conversion when striker Mladen Petric headed home the 2-0 lead from very close range.
Berlin was only capable to reduce the score to 1-2 at the 81st minute as youngster striker Pierre Michel Lasogga nodded home a cross from the left wing from inside penalty area.Hertha Berlin slips from 13th to 14th position with 20 points whilst Hamburg climbs from 14th to 11th position with 22 points.
At the bottom match 18th positioned Augsburg shared points after a two all draw with 16th positioned Kaiserslautern. Augsburg jumps from 18th to 17th position with 16 points while Kaiserslautern remains on 16th position with 18 points.
Already on Friday Hannover defeated Nuremberg with a neat 1-0 thanks to the winner by striker Mohammed Abdellaoue.
The following fixtures are set for Sunday, Stuttgart host stunner team Monchengladbach while Mainz encounters Freiburg.
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