VfL Wolfsburg overturned an early deficit against Freiburg to storm to a 5-2 win
VfL Wolfsburg overturned an early deficit against Freiburg to storm to a 5-2 win
Big wins for Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim and Mainz
Munich - VfL Wolfsburg and 1899 Hoffenheim were the big winners on Saturday afternoon, picking up priceless victories over SC Freiburg and Greuther Fürth respectively, while 1 FSV Mainz 05 edged a tight encounter over UEFA Champions League aspirants Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
SC Freiburg 2-5 VfL Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg hit five in a veritable goal-fest away to Freiburg to maintain their outside chances of a European place come the end of the season.
The home side struck first as an incisive, right-wing move paved the way for Max Kruse to bend an unstoppable effort beyond the reach of the despairing Diego Benaglio, but a Cedrick Makiadi own goal soon had the Wolves back on level terms.
Olic at the double
Vieirinha raised Wolfsburg temperatures with a real candidate for goal of the season ten minutes later - a first-time volley swiftly proceeded by Olic's inventive overhead kick to put the Wolves 3-1 up and mark the first time in 2012/13 that four goals had gone in after just 22 Bundesliga minutes.
Olic took advantage of some lacklustre defending to head home his fifth league goal of the season after the break, but substitute Johannes Flum gave the home side hope with 18 minutes remaining, tapping home from close range after a fine bit of running from Makiadi.
However, that goal proved nothing but a consolation for the hosts as Diego raced away to restore Wolfsburg's three-goal cushion and ensure a sixth win on the road this season at the expense of Freiburg's place in the top six.
Line-ups and statistics
Greuther Fürth 0-3 1899 Hoffenheim
1899 Hoffenheim brought an end to a four games without a win courtesy of a pivotal victory against relegation rivals Greuther Fürth.
Both sides’ nerves were noticeable at the start, but it was Hoffenheim who settled first, opening the scoring as Tobias Weis played in Roberto Firmino to tuck into the bottom corner. That bred confidence and soon the visitors doubled their advantage when Joselu slotted home his fifth goal of the campaign from Kevin Volland’s square pass.
No luck for the Clover Leaves
1899 picked up where they left off in the second half and grabbed an early third as Weis caught Milorad Pekovic in possession before exchanging passes with Joselu to tap into a virtually empty net. The hosts attempts to muster up a response failed, with Pekovic and Thanos Pestos each failing to find the target.
Fürth remained ineffective into the latter stages and went on to record their tenth home blank this season as Hoffenheim moved five points clear of the foot of the table.
Line-ups and statistics
1. FSV Mainz 05 1-0 Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Andreas Ivanschitz's second-half penalty was enough for Mainz to edge past Leverkusen and regain their place in the top six after four weeks of absence.
Adam Szalai had the first opportunity of a slow-burning encounter, rifling an effort against the bar from 18 yards. Stefan Kießling could do no better at the other end, the Bundesliga's leading marksman scuffing straight at Christian Wetklo and heading wide in front of the watchful eyes of Germany coach Joachim Löw.
On the spot
A Manuel Friedrich handball gave Mainz the opportunity to land the first real blow from the penalty spot, and Ivanschitz duly obliged to put the hosts ahead with his sixth Bundesliga goal of the campaign.
The introduction of Sidney Sam did little to help the Leverkusen cause, as Mainz battled over the finish line and back into the European places. Die Werkself, meanwhile, stay third.
Line-ups and statistics
