Leipzig knock Bayern from top after Freiburg rout, Hoffenheim beat Wolfsburg

RB Leipzig climbed top of the Bundesliga on Saturday with a 3-0 romp at Freiburg to replace previous leaders Bayern Munich, who later host Dortmund in Germany’s ‘Klassiker’.

Christopher Nkunku, Alexander Sorloth and Emil Forsberg scored the goals in Freiburg which lifted Leipzig one point ahead of Bayern, who are at home to Dortmund (1730GMT).

“That was a mature performance,” Leipzig sports director Markus Kroesche told Sky.

“Anything is possible,” he replied when asked if Leipzig can stop Bayern winning a ninth straight league title this season.

Leipzig impressed in their final tune-up before facing Liverpool in Budapest next Wednesday in the last 16 of the Champions League having lost the first leg 2-0.

Leipzig took the lead at Freiburg after a first-half blunder by home goalkeeper Florian Mueller.

His loose pass from the back was snapped up by Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen, who squared for French winger Nkunku to tap home four minutes before the break.

Sorloth continued his great form and midway through the second half he converted Nkunku’s assist.

The Norwegian, who scored the last-gasp winner over Moenchengladbach a week ago, then set up Forsberg who banged in Leipzig’s third goal 11 minutes from time.

Third-placed Wolfsburg are now eight points adrift of Leipzig having stumbled to a 2-1 defeat at mid-table Hoffenheim whose striker Andrej Kramaric scored the hosts’ winning goal just before half-time.

Eintracht Frankfurt stay fourth after Filip Kostic equalised for the home team in a 1-1 draw against Stuttgart. A late goal by Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick sealed their 1-0 win at Moenchengladbach, who drop to 10th as their miserable run continues.

Gladbach have now lost all fives games since it was announced head coach Marco Rose will take charge of Dortmund next season.

“The fun and joy is missing in our football,” admitted Gladbach midfielder Hannes Wolf.

The away win eases the pressure on Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz. His fifth-placed side had failed to win any of their five previous games in all competitions. Dodi Lukebakio converted a late penalty to seal Hertha Berlin’s 2-1 home win over Augsburg.

It was Hertha’s first victory in 10 games which pulled them up to 14th and away from the relegation fight. Coach Pal Dardai described the win as a “magic moment” as he enjoyed his first victory since replacing Bruno Labbadia at Hertha in January.

Earlier, Bundesliga bottom side Schalke were held to a goalless draw at home to fellow strugglers Mainz on Friday as the hosts’ new coach Dimitrios Grammozis earned a point in his first game.

Grammozis was named Schalke’s fifth head coach this season on Tuesday and his contract until June 2022.

However, the second season of that deal looks likely to be in the second division unless he can turn results around.

This is his first coaching job in the Bundesliga.

The 42-year-old Greek-German now has ten games left to bridge the eight-point gap needed to get Schalke off the bottom and out of the relegation places.

Schalke have won just one league game all season and are on course to be relegated after 30 consecutive years in Germany’s top flight.

The away point moved Mainz up one place to 16th and level on 18 points with Arminia Bielefeld and Hertha Berlin who are all fighting relegation.

Mainz, who earned a shock win over Moenchengladbach a fortnight ago, peppered the Schalke goal with 19 shots on target, while the hosts managed just two.

Their best chance came eight minutes from time when 20-year-old striker Jonathan Burkardt forced a stunning reflex save from Schalke goalkeeper Frederik Roennow.

Former Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi came closest for Schalke when his powerful header ricocheted of the legs of Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner after only 18 minutes.

Schalke were dealt a blow before kick-off when playmaker Amine Harit dropped out with an injury.

Agencies