Bayer Leverkusen has further solidified their lead atop the standings, placing additional pressure on Bayern Munich, who now find themselves closely monitored by VfB Stuttgart. Over the weekend, Bundesliga enthusiasts were treated to a plethora of remarkable goals. bundesliga.com presents an analysis of the prominent discussions arising from Matchday 24.
Leverkusen go 10 points clear
The 2-2 draw between Bayern and Freiburg provided Leverkusen with an opportune moment to extend their lead at the top of the table. Their visit to Cologne, a rival situated along the Rhine, carried the potential for a challenging encounter, particularly considering Effzeh’s struggle for survival in the relegation battle.
Although Die Werkself did not display their finest form, several tense moments arose at the RheinEnergieSTADION, notably when Sargis Adamyan struck the post early in the second half. However, Jan Thielmann’s early dismissal eased Leverkusen’s task. Ultimately, wing-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo secured a 2-0 victory, securing all three points.
The outcome propels Xabi Alonso’s team to a commanding 10-point lead at the summit, marking the first instance this season they have held a double-digit advantage over Bayern. With only 30 points remaining to be earned, Leverkusen now require seven more victories to secure their inaugural Meisterschale. While the conclusion of the season is yet to be determined, the likelihood of Leverkusen’s success appears increasingly certain.
Are Stuttgart reining in Bayern Munich?
Stuttgart continues to shine in an exceptional season, led by their prolific forward Serhou Guirassy. Their recent triumph, marking a seventh away victory of the campaign, solidified their hold on third place in the Bundesliga standings, trailing second-placed Bayern Munich by merely four points.
Guirassy played a pivotal role in Stuttgart’s latest win against Wolfsburg, notching his 20th Bundesliga goal of the season with a brace in their 3-2 victory at the Volkswagen Arena. His early goal, putting Stuttgart ahead 1-0, marked the sixth instance this season, a feat matched only by Bayern’s Harry Kane. Furthermore, Guirassy’s tally of eight goals in away matches trails behind Kane’s 10, showcasing his prowess on the road.
With a club record of 50 points and 16 victories in 24 Bundesliga matches, alongside an impressive streak of six unbeaten games under coach Sebastian Hoeneß, Stuttgart’s momentum remains unyielding. As they gear up to face league leaders Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in upcoming fixtures, Stuttgart maintains their focus on chasing those ahead of them in the standings.
For fans of Die Schwaben, anticipation builds for their next match against Union Berlin on Matchday 25.
Deadly Demirović firing Augsburg
A remarkable sequence of events unfolded at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor culminating in Augsburg matching their largest-ever victory in the Bundesliga, as Jess Thorup’s team emerged triumphant with a resounding 6-0 victory over Darmstadt. The visiting team dominated the match, scoring five unanswered goals in just 29 minutes of the first half, a feat previously achieved only twice in the history of the German top flight (by Freiburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach).
At the forefront of Augsburg’s commanding performance was their exceptional captain, Ermedin Demirović, who scored two goals and provided an additional assist in the opening 45 minutes. For avid followers of Demirović’s performances this season, this display was yet another demonstration of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian forward’s ability to orchestrate the team’s attack for Augsburg, who secured consecutive victories for the first time since October. The 25-year-old recorded his third brace of the 2023/24 campaign, accumulating an impressive total of 22 goal involvements (14 goals, eight assists), placing him second only to Bayern’s Kane, who has 32 goal involvements.
Furthermore, Augsburg celebrated their first clean sheet of the season and Phillip Tietz achieved his first Bundesliga career brace in the team’s latest fixture. These accomplishments added to Augsburg’s joy as they ascended to mid-table standings over the weekend.
Leipzig’s super-sub blitz
Eager to maintain their standing within the top-four positions of the Bundesliga and seeking a morale boost prior to an imminent encounter with Real Madrid in the Champions League, RB Leipzig encountered a challenging scenario during the latter stages of their match against Bochum. Despite Dani Olmo’s remarkable equalizing goal at the Ruhrstadion following an initial lead by the home team, Leipzig’s head coach Marco Rose recognized the imperative for his team to demonstrate greater performance. Responding to this urgency, Rose executed a tactical decision, introducing a triple substitution at the 65th minute mark, which yielded nearly immediate dividends.
Within a brief span of four minutes, Leipzig remarkably scored three goals. The introduction of substitute Loïs Openda precipitated the scoring spree as he notched his 17th goal of the season. Subsequent to Yussuf Poulsen’s significant involvement, Ivan Ordets inadvertently contributed an own goal, further extending Leipzig’s lead to 4-1, with Poulsen himself subsequently adding to the tally.
Eager to maintain their position within the top echelons of the Bundesliga and seeking a confidence boost ahead of their upcoming Champions League encounter with Real Madrid, RB Leipzig encountered challenges during the latter stages of their match against Bochum. Although Dani Olmo’s impressive goal restored parity for the visitors following an early lead secured by the home team, Marco Rose recognized the exigency for his team to perform at a higher level. In response, the tactician implemented a triple substitution at the 65th-minute mark, a strategic move that yielded almost immediate results.
Within a span of four minutes, Leipzig netted three goals. Substitute Loïs Openda initiated the rapid scoring spree by registering his 17th goal of the season, followed by Yussuf Poulsen’s significant involvement in Ivan Ordets’ own goal, before Poulsen himself extended the lead to 4-1. The previously vocal home supporters were left in stunned silence as Leipzig decisively turned the tide in their favor. This victory enabled the Saxony-based club to maintain their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund, currently occupying the fourth position in the league standings. Furthermore, the morale boost acquired from this triumph could prove pivotal as Leipzig endeavors to overturn a 1-0 deficit in their last-16 tie against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Weekend of great goals
On Matchday 24 of the Bundesliga, a total of 32 goals were scored, resulting in an average of over three goals per game. This statistic is not surprising given the Bundesliga’s consistent reputation for high-scoring matches compared to Europe’s other top-five leagues. However, what made this particular weekend noteworthy was not just the quantity, but the quality of the goals.
The weekend commenced with a spectacular display of skill, exemplified by the four goals scored between Freiburg and Bayern Munich. Each goal was worthy of admiration, with Christian Günter and Lucas Höler’s strikes standing out for their exceptional execution. Mathys Tel’s powerful shot and Jamal Musiala’s display of finesse further added to the excitement.
As the matches progressed, the trend of remarkable goals continued. Dani Olmo and Karim Adeyemi showcased their prowess with expertly curled shots from outside the penalty area. Other notable contributions came from Maximilian Wittek, Jonathan Burkardt, Rubén Vargas, Joakim Mæhle, and Maximilian Beier, each delivering goals that left a lasting impression.
Regardless of which matches were observed throughout the weekend, spectators were treated to a series of memorable finishes. Such displays of skill and excitement serve to enhance the appeal of Bundesliga matches, fostering anticipation for future encounters.