Bayern Munich bounced back and shocked Leipzig with a 5-4 victory on the road while Hoffenheim cruised 5-3 past Werder Bremen at the 33rd round in Bundesliga on Saturday.
Front-runners Bayern Munich turned the tides in a nine-goal thriller to flabbergast hosts Leipzig, who were unable to stop Bayern’s pressure in the last 10 minutes.
The Bundesliga newcomers came out with their offense blazing as Leipzig broke the deadlock with just two minutes into the encounter when Emil Forsberg’s cross to the far post found Marcel Sabitzer, who nodded home.
The “Bavarians” wobbled but recovered with 17 minutes into the game as Robert Lewandowski converted a foul play penalty from the spot to restore parity.
Leipzig continued offensively minded and grabbed the 2-1 lead through Timo Werner who slotted home a penalty as Xabi Alonso brought down Forsberg inside the box in the 29th minute.
After the restart, the hosts started where they left off as Yussuf Poulsen completed a counterattack and hammered home from 17 meters to make it 3-1.
Bayern Munich responded at the one-hour mark when Thiago Alcantara pulled one back.
Nevertheless, Leipzig kept their momentum and shocked the visitors again as Werner restored the two-goal lead after nutmegging Bayern goalie Tom Starke from sharp angle with 65 minutes played.
The match appeared to be over as Leipzig always had a response to Bayern’s goals. However, things changed in the closing period as Bayern turned up thanks to Lewandowski and David Alaba, who leveled the scores.
Carlo Ancelotti’s man were not done with the scoring and shocked the hosts with the injury-time winner through Arjen Robben, who completed a solo run to overcome Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi in the dying minutes of the game.
With the result, the newly crowned Bundesliga champions reaped their 24th win of the season while Leipzig’s seven-game unbeaten streak came to an end.
Fourth placed Hoffenheim reduced the arrears to third placed Dortmund, and their direct UEFA Champions League spot, as Julian Nagelsmann’s men crushed Werder Bremen 5-3.
The “TSG” showed no mercy with Bremen, who were unable to gain a foothold into the first half. Hence, Hoffenheim established a three-goal advantage within 45 minutes.
Adam Szalai opened the scoring early in the encounter before Andrej Kramaric and Steven Zuber smoothed the way for the win.
Even after the break, the “Green-Whites” were unable to put up resistance allowing Hoffenheim to extend their lead by courtesy on goals from Kramaric and Ermin Bicakcic to 5-0.
Bremen showed a vital sign with 59 minutes played as Theodor Gebre Selassie headed home the consolation. The hosts gained momentum and scored another two goals through Philipp Bargfrede and Robert Bauer. Their comeback came yet too late.
With the win, Hoffenheim are now equal on points with third placed Dortmund whereas Bremen stay on the 8th place of the standings.
Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen equalized a two-goal deficit to share the spoils with Cologne, who suffer a setback in the hunt for a berth in Europe.
Hertha Berlin wrapped up three important points for the international business as Pal Dardai’ s men downed last placed Darmstadt 2-0.
Ingolstadt will be the second team after Darmstadt to relegate as the “Schanzer” were held to a 1-1 draw by Freiburg.
Relegation threatened Hamburg maintain their chances to remain in Germany’s top flight as Pierre-Michel Lasogga’s 1-1 equalizer secured the “HSV” a crucial point against Schalke.
Augsburg reaped vital points for their relegation battle as they held third placed Borussia Dortmund to a 1-1.
Mainz increase their chances to remain in the first division after the “Nullfuenfer” came from behind to edge Eintracht Frankfurt 4-2 and Wolfsburg played out a 1-1 draw with Monchengladbach.
