For many, it is certainly the game of the year. After the draw away at Hertha BSC, none other than Bayern Munich are up next at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion on Saturday afternoon (3:30PM CET). Before the match against the German record champions, head coach Thomas Reis answered journalists’ questions as usual.

Yes, the same position currently being occupied by native Bavarian Julian Nagelsmann.

There was a moment of real hope in the first half after Hertha shook off an early setback and battled back into a 2-1 lead. However, a double blow before the break and a poor second-half performance ultimately led to a heavy 5-2 defeat in Cologne – a deserved one according to Marvin Plattenhardt. “We’re incredibly disappointed. We left too many gaps open at the back and allowed too many crosses. We addressed it at half time, but we still struggled to deal with it after the break,” said the captain. However, while survival is still mathematically possible, giving up is not an option, even though Florian Niederlechner spoke of a “horrible feeling” after the full-time whistle. We rounded up the players’ reaction.

In the past few weeks, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team have put themselves in a good starting position – but they are not over the line yet. Support TSG Hoffenheim in their battle to beat the drop and secure your tickets for the final two home games of this season, which will see Eintracht Frankfurt (Matchday 31, 15:30 CET on 6 May) and 1. FC Union Berlin (Matchday 33, 15:30 CET on 20 May) visit the Kraichgau. Tickets have been on general sale since 13 April.

RB Leipzig defeat SV Werder Bremen 2-1 | Head coach Marco Rose, players Benjamin Henrichs, Dominik Szoboszlai, Willi Orbán and board member for sport Max Eberl react to the game

The MEWA ARENA, which was sold out for the first time in nearly two years, provided the perfect stage for Mainz’s fast and furious performance against record champions FC Bayern, who were crowned Bundesliga champions for the tenth time in a row last weekend. The Zerofivers ran away as worthy 3-1 winners and were especially strong in the first half, when they dominated their opponents. It would’ve been unsurprising if Svensson’s side had scored more than three because they created so many chances throughout the afternoon. “Today’s win over Bayern was no fluke and was fully deserved. We were outstanding for 90 minutes,” said sporting director Martin Schmidt after the game, who was understandably overjoyed. The Mainz fans were also delighted after the final whistle, and stayed behind to celebrate with their victorious players.

Grischa Prömel opened the scoring after five minutes while Awoniyi had struck from the penalty spot midway through the half.

VfL Wolfsburg drew 2-2 against FC Augsburg in a remarkable encounter on Matchday 26 of the Bundesliga season. After an early own goal from Maximilian Arnold, who also missed a penalty in the 22nd minute, it looked for long periods as if the Wolves would leave empty-handed – even more so after Mergim Berisha doubled the lead for the clinical hosts before half-time. Despite creating numerous chances, the Green-and-Whites couldn’t find a way back into the game – until the 84th minute, that is. Luca Waldschmidt reduced the deficit, and as Niko Kovac’s men threw everything forward, Felix Nmecha netted the equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time to the delight of the travelling supporters.

Arrival: An additional Eurobahn train will run from Hamm via Bönen, Unna, Holzwickede, Do. Sölde, Do. Aplerbeck and Do. Hörde on 18/03/2023, departing at 16:02 and arriving at Dortmund Signal Iduna Park at 16:37.

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