Bundesliga matchday 12 review: Bayern leave it late, Dortmund win top four clash, HSV fairy tale, and late goals galore | OneFootball

Matchday 12 in the Bundesliga saw Bayern Munich leave it late, Borussia Dortmund win a huge top-four clash, and more late goals than you can shake a stick at! As we head into December, it’s clear which area of the table each team is now battling in. Here is your review and talking points from matchday 12 in the Bundesliga. 

Bayern Leave It Late

Ahead of the game between Bayern Munich and St. Pauli on Saturday, Pauli boss Alexander Blessin admitted that in order to get something from the tie, his team would also need to be lucky – and they so nearly were. 

Pauli had taken the lead in the 6th minute through Andréas Hountondji, the Burnley loanee’s fourth goal of the season. Bayern, who dominated throughout, finally drew level just before the break via Raphaël Guerreiro. 

Bayern went on to hit the woodwork on three occasions and looked as if it was just one of those days in front of goal. The ever-reliable Harry Kane struggled to get involved and missed chances when they did fall his way. 

However, with five additional minutes added on at the end, Luis Diaz netted in the 93rd, before Nicolas Jackson finished the game off to make it 3-1 in the 97th minute. The scoreline was a cruel reflection of St. Pauli’s efforts, who were so close to coming away from Munich with a crucial point. 

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany commended Díaz.

Thanks to results elsewhere, Bayern extend their lead at the top to seven points. Whilst St. Pauli have now lost their last nine Bundesliga matches in a row and sit in 17th place.  

Dortmund Edge Past Leverkusen

In Saturday’s top spiel, Borussia Dortmund edged past Bayer Leverkusen at the Bay Arena, coming out 1-2 winners. 

In truth, it was a rather cagey affair for the most part, with neither side really showcasing what they could do. 

Neither team really troubled Gregor Kobel or Mark Flekken for much of the first half, until Dortmund won a free kick in a dangerous position on the right-hand side. 

Daniel Svensson’s inswinging cross was met by the head of Aaron Anselimon, who, with the help of the post, would divert it into the net to make it 0-1. 

The second half picked up just after the hour mark when substitute Fabio Silva played in a cross, which was headed home by Karim Adeyemi to make it 2-0. The Portuguese striker has been looking to assert himself in Dortmund’s starting 11, and this was definitely a way to not only have an immediate impact but also show what he can offer head coach Niko Kovac. While Adeyemi’s goal meant he has now scored in each of his last three games.

Dortmund, of course, did not make the game easier for themselves after taking what looked like a comfortable lead. Leverkusen began to grow into the game and were able to get one goal back in the 83rd minute when an Ibrahim Maza cross was turned in by substitute Christian Kofane to make it 2-1.

BVB managed to hold on for a massive three points, which helps them solidify 3rd, and now go one point behind RB Leipzig in second. 

Dortmund’s Aarón Anselmino was probably the standout player of the evening as he began to really show his quality in a BVB shirt. In the view of the Dortmund board, they would be interested in making the current Chelsea loanee a permanent player.

When asked about this after the game, Sebastian Kehl explained: “I’ll certainly have to pick up the phone over the next few days and give them a call, we have a very good relationship with Chelsea FC.“

Ten Men Hamburg Win

Hamburger SV registered a crucial victory on Sunday, as they beat VfB Stuttgart 2-1, despite having a man sent off. 

The whole evening of football was a game that was filled with storylines from an HSV perspective. 

The hosts got the story rolling when they took the lead in the 17th minute through Robert Glatzel. The 31-year-old was given his first start in the top flight for over four years and has been ever-present for HSV during their time in the 2. Bundesliga. 

The striker marked the occasion with his first goal of the season, which triggered fantastic celebrations from fans and players alike. 

Stuttgart’s own reliable striker, Deniz Undav, pulled the Swabians level in the 54th minute as they then went in search of a win which would have taken them into 4th. 

When Hamburg’s Norwegian winger, Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit, was sent off with ten minutes still to play (second bookable offence), VfB smelt blood. 

However, it was the redemption of Arsenal loanee, Fábio Vieira, who scored a dramatic 96th-minute winner for HSV. The attacking midfielder has already registered quite a few red cards this season, and has been criticised for not keeping his cool in big moments – until now. 

After the game, HSV boss Merlin Polzin explained: “This was a very special evening with many small, lovely niche stories… “I hope we can carry forth this momentum into what will be a special week for us [with northern derbies against Holstein Kiel in the cup and Werder Bremen in the league next weekend].”

Around The Grounds

Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, FC Heidenheim earned what could be a massive three points as they look to survive the drop. Frank Schmidt’s side scored a 96th-minute winner to beat Union Berlin in the capital 1-2. The win lifts Heidenheim off the bottom and into 16th place. 

Hoffenheim continued to impress with a solid 3-0 win against FC Augsburg. The win now moves TSG into 5th position, just outside the Champions League places on goal difference. 

Freiburg got a much-needed win as they inflicted a 4-0 loss on Mainz 05. Freiburg move into 8th position, whilst Mainz now drop to the bottom, with just one win all season. 

Elsewhere, there were draws between Borussia Mönchengladbach / RB Leipzig (0-0), Werder Bremen / FC Köln (1-1), and Eintracht Frankfurt / VfL Wolfsburg (1-1). 

GGFN | Jamie Allen