Bayern take victory after victory at the top of the Bundesliga and are very close to the championship. Only the BVB can score three times from the pursuing quartet. The relegation battle remains extremely exciting - and is also the focus in the Sunday games.
Berlin (dpa) - The championship question seems to have been finally resolved after the ninth Bayern victory in a row in the Bundesliga. Despite an early deficit, the Munich team won 4-2 at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
The big winner among the pursuers is Borussia Dortmund, who after the 1-0 win over Hertha BSC is seven points ahead of the fifth Leverkusen. It is more exciting in the relegation battle, where even the bottom of the table SC Paderborn can still hope. Also in the league in focus: three records, a million transfer and the end of a decade-long era.
SIEGESSERIE: Even an early deficit in Leverkusen cannot shock Bayern this season. In the end, the result was 4-2 for the sovereign Munich, who could celebrate their eighth championship title in a row next week. "It was a good thing that we fell behind because the team then got up," said coach Hansi Flick. Only the fifth yellow card for Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski clouded the mood - both will be missing at home against Borussia Mönchengladbach next week.
BENEFICIARIES: Competitors Gladbach, Leipzig and Leverkusen failed - and BVB used this with a 1-0 win against Hertha BSC. The lead to third place is now four points. But in Dortmund, the focus was not only on sports, but also on the fuss about Jadon Sancho and Co.'s visit to the hairdresser. "With things like this, he just has to be smarter, be more adult, be more adult," said goal scorer Emre Can about the 20th -Years old. "As a team, we are also responsible." Sancho must learn from mistakes in the future. The Berliners had to console themselves with the best mark for the best long-distance runner: Vladimir Darida ran 14.65 kilometers and thus more than any other professional since data collection in the 2013/14 season (source: Opta).
PROTESTS: The Dortmund and Berlin professionals all made a clear statement against racism and police violence. All players knelt before the kick-off around the center circle and were silent for a few moments. Mainz customer Pierre Malong also went on one knee after scoring 2-0 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the afternoon. The Bayern professionals wore armbands with the inscription: "Black Lives Matter". The Bundesliga players showed solidarity with the demonstrators in the USA, who have been taking to the streets by the thousands after the violent death of African-American George Floyd after a brutal police operation. There is no punishment for this after a corresponding DFB decision.
YOUNGSTER: Kai Havertz, wooed by numerous top clubs, was missing injured, but the next top talent shone in the defeat of Bayer Leverkusen against FC Bayern. Florian Wirtz scored with a remarkable Schlenzer to 2: 4 and is now the youngest Bundesliga goal scorer at 17 years and 34 days. The game against the league leader was the fourth league appearance for the substitute midfielder. Bayer coach Peter Bosz praised the youngster as "a huge talent. He is a good player, an intelligent player."
EXCHANGE RUMORS: Timo Werner prepared Leipzig's opening goal, but the international did not prevent the disappointing 1-1 against the bottom of the table SC Paderborn. After the final whistle, however, Werner's upcoming move to Chelsea was the hot topic anyway. Former international and Chelsea professional Michael Ballack considers the possible transfer a "good decision for both sides". "For Timo, because he fits there, because the way he plays football suits him," he said on Sky.
KARTENKÖNIG: Paderborn's Klaus Gjasula saw his 16th yellow card against RB Leipzig in this Bundesliga season - only Tomasz Hajto managed that many in the 1998/99 season for MSV Duisburg. Midfielder Gjasula is not happy with his inglorious record, but he is also not too concerned. "I deal with it as I have always done. I play my game, sometimes you see cards for it," said the 30-year-old.
ABSTIEGSKRIMI: The bottom half of the table is particularly exciting in this Bundesliga season. Even the bottom of the table Paderborn still has a theoretical chance of rescue after the 1-1 draw in Leipzig despite eight points behind the relegation place. Fortuna Düsseldorf missed an important win in the 2-2 win over Hoffenheim despite an early lead and a long overpower. Werder Bremen could benefit with a win at VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday and catch up on points. After Mainz 2-0 in Frankfurt, the now tied 1. FC Union (31 points) against FC Schalke and FC Augsburg (31) against 1. FC Köln are also required.
BREAKTHROUGH: From four games after the Corona break, FC Schalke 04 did not score a single point - and even off the field, the club does not come to rest before the duel in Berlin on Sunday. On Friday Schalke announced the farewell to CFO Peter Peters after a total of 27 years on June 30. "The position of CFO at Schalke is not necessarily subject to amusement tax," said former Schalke manager Christian Heidel. "Maybe at some point the point has come to say that it is enough."
Bundesliga schedule
Bundesliga table