The first two places in Bundesliga are maybe occupied, but the other places are up for grabs. From third to sixth place (which leads into the Conference League) the difference is 8 points and after 31 rounds, Leverkusen, Leipzig, Freiburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Union Berlin and Hoffenheim are all in contention.3 – 1. FC Köln have scored 3+ goals in three consecutive #Bundesliga matches for the first time since 1992 (4 then). Thrice. #KOEDSC pic.twitter.com/m7dKbkhYK0— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) April 23, 2022 RB Leipzig had maybe the most difficult task in this round with a home game against tough Union Berlin, and Domenico Tedesco’s side was in fantastic form. Leipzig were 11th when Tedesco came in, but have since climbed to third after winning 11 of 16 Bundesliga matches under the former Schalke coach. They’ve only lost once since the turn of the year – a 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich – and are through to the DFB Cup final and Europa League last four. But, Union Berlin crushed that chain with a surprising 1-2 victory in a three minute blitzkrieg.
In the first half, Union was the better side and even hit the crossbar in injury time, but Dane Poulsen slammed the ball into the bottom corner just at the beginning of the second half, and that appeared to be enough for the win, until Sven Michel leveled in the 86th minute, just one minute after he came in as a sub. Leipzig had one great chance through Moukiele in the 74th minute, but that was it actually. Both sides claimed a penalty apiece, but VAR denied both requests. And just as it seemed that a peaceful draw was on the cards, another sub Kevin Behrens scored the winner in the 89th minute, and kept Union’s hopes of a Champions League alive.
Leipzig is back into fourth place since their direct rivals Bayer Leverkusen won at Greuther Furth 4-1 and reclaimed third spot. But Bayer has a much tougher schedule until the end with Frankfurt, Hoffenheim and Freiburg games coming up. And Freiburg is also in the race for that fourth spot, but they remain fifth after failing to win at home against Borussia Monchengladbach. Yes, it’s the same team which suffered heavy defeat (6-0) from Freiburg at home in the first part of the season, but over here, they were up 2-0 after only 13 minutes, courtesy of Bensebaini’s penalty and Emolo’s precise shot.
But, the Foals showed no desire to play any attacking or even possession football and basically tried to keep 2-0 for the next 80 minutes. Needless to say, they failed. Freiburg was a better side with lots of chances, and eventually, they turned the game around with goals from Grifo (penalty), Gunter and Lienhard. Borussia’s defense is the third worst in the league, and depending on them to keep the 2-0 score was not the wisest decision. But, one proper attack from the visitors was enough to secure a draw, as Stindl’s powerful header was enough for a 3-3 draw.BUNDESLIGA – ROUND 31FridayWolfsburg – Mainz 5-0 (5-0)/Wind 8, 42, Kruse 24 pen, 35, 45+2/SaturdayKoln – Bielefeld 3-1 (2-1)Eintr.Frankfurt – Hoffenheim 2-2 (1-1)Freiburg – M’ gladbach 3-3 (0-2)Greuther Furth – Leverkusen 1-4 (1-2)RB Leipzig – Union Berlin 1-2 (0-0)19:30: (1.45) Bayern (4.70) Dortmund (6.75)Sunday16:30: (2.40) Bochum (3.35) Augsburg (3.20)18:30: (2.90) Hertha (3.30) Stuttgart (2.65)***odds are subject to change***