Bundesliga Break: Bayern Munich set the pace & Union Berlin live the dream

After 13 games, the Bundesliga draws the interval curtain and breaks for winter. The league table has already sent some signals about who will fight for the important places. Last week saw some unexpected results and key victories as Bayern Munich finish top at Christmas with victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

Union Berlin upset Borussia Dortmund and Hoffenheim triumph over Borussia Monchengladbach

The match between Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund will enter the Bundesliga annals as a true classic. From one side, the team from Berlin continue to be the surprise package with some excellent results and impressive league position.

From the other side, Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko announced his arrival on the Bundesliga scene to add his name to a glittering list of talent. All goals came in the second half with Union taking the lead in the 57th minute through Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi from a corner. Three minutes later, Moukoko’s equaliser etched his name in the history books as he became the Bundesliga’s youngest ever goalscorer.

At that point, Dortmund seemed to be in control of the game, but another corner condemned them to the loss. In the 78th minute, Marvin Friedrich gave his team the three points with a perfect header. Union sit sixth at the winter close and inch closer to securing a dream spot in Europe next season.

Hoffenheim recorded an important win to open the gap from the relegation zone. Their victims were Borussia Monchengladbach who are enduring a lapse in league form despite progressing in the Champions League.

The Foals took the lead in the 34th minute thanks to a Lars Stindl penalty and remained in front until Hoffenheim found the equaliser in the 75th minute through Andrej Kramaric. The biggest talking point came three minutes later when Marcus Thuram was sent off for spitting in Stefan Posch’s face which means he’ll be missing for five games with a ban. The Frenchman’s ill-discipline cost his team dearly as Hoffenheim took the lead and the three points when Tottenham Hotspur loanee Ryan Sessegnon scored with four minutes to play.

Fight for relegation: Arminia Bielefeld beat bottom side Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen win at Mainz

The relegation dogfight took another twist as Arminia Bielefeld won a crucial match against last-placed Schalke 04. The winner was scored by Fabian Klos in the 53rd minute with a perfect header. Schalke’s winless start continues and the historic club need a Christmas miracle to save themselves from the drop as the gap opens to seven points.

After four consecutive losses, Werder Bremen can finally celebrate with a victory against Mainz. The match look destined for a goalless draw, despite both teams playing well and having chances to score, but the result was unlocked in the 90th minute through Eren Sami Dinkçi whose goal eased relegation fears for Bremen.

Goalless between 1. FC Koln and Red Bull Leipzig as Bayern cement top spot against closest league rivals Leverkusen

Another surprise result came in Leipzig as 15th-placed Koln held third place RB Leipzig on Saturday. The Goats gained an important point that kept them above Arminia. The draw meant Leipzig lost ground in the race for the first place by slipping two points behind Bayern.

It was first versus second at the BayArena on Saturday with the prize being top spot at Christmas. The opening goal came through Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick in the 14th minute when his powerfully struck volley sailed past Manuel Neuer.

The Czech forward thought he’d doubled the home side’s advantage but he’d strayed offside in the build up. Just as Leverkusen thought they’d be going into the break ahead, who else but Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski found the equaliser in the 43rd minute. FIFA’s best player of the year was unplayable once again, continuing his fine goal scoring form with a late winner in the 93rd minute to break Leverkusen hearts – taking his Bundesliga tally to 17 in only 12 appearances.

Eintracht Frankfurt cruise past Augsburg, SC Freiburg put four past Hertha Berlin and Wolfsburg continue Champions League push with win over Stuttgart

In the other three matches, Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Augsburg 2-0 thanks to a Raphael Framberger own-goal and an 87th minute second from Stefan Ilsanker.

SC Freiburg had no problems getting rid of Hertha Berlin. Vincenzo Grifo inaugurated the match with a header after seven minutes before Dodi Lukebakio’s equaliser after half-time. Freiburg ramped up the intensity and found three second half goals from Ermedin Demirovic, Manuel Gulde and Nils Petersen.

Finally, a Josip Brekalo goal was enough for Wolfsburg to beat Stuttgart as they leap-frogged Dortmund into fourth placed and continue their push for Champions League football.