Bundesliga Matchday 17: Key Takeaways from the Midweek Action

Matchday 17 of the Bundesliga not only featured the season’s first and only midweek match but also concluded the Hinrunde, which is the first half of the season.

Following a weekend of disrupted matches due to heavy snowfall, the effects lingered, resulting in the postponement of the match between Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen.

This matchday’s fixtures included Stuttgart vs. Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund vs. Werder Bremen, Mainz vs. Heidenheim, Wolfsburg vs. St. Pauli, 1. FC Köln vs. Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach, RB Leipzig vs. Freiburg, and Augsburg vs. Union Berlin.

Here are three key observations from the matchday:

Stuttgart has kicked off the new year with two impressive results in the Bundesliga. Over the weekend, they achieved a resounding 4-1 victory against Leverkusen and followed that up with a dramatic win against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Although Frankfurt initially took the lead with a header from Rasmus Kristensen, Ermedin Demirovic brought Stuttgart level in his first start after injury. A deflected shot from Deniz Undav shortly before halftime put Frankfurt ahead again. Just when it seemed Frankfurt would secure a point, summer signing Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab equalized. However, Niklas Nartey’s first-ever goal for Stuttgart clinched the three points for Sebastian Hoeneß’s side.

Unlike Frankfurt’s previous opponents, Stuttgart exhibited remarkable composure and determination to secure their win. These two substantial victories suggest that the Swabians are on an upward trajectory, potentially surpassing their performance from the 2023/24 Bundesliga season, where they finished second. I wouldn’t rule out Stuttgart contending for the Europa League title this season.

In an interview with kicker earlier this week, Andrej Kramaric revealed that he had turned down an opportunity to play for Bayern Munich, opting instead to remain with Hoffenheim, where he has become a club legend. His hat-trick in Hoffenheim’s 5-1 triumph over Borussia Mönchengladbach made him the club’s oldest-ever goalscorer, surpassing Francisco Copado. Despite the emergence of young talents like Fisnik Asllani and Tim Lemperle, Kramaric has proven to be a vital asset for Ilzer’s attacking lineup.

This victory has propelled Hoffenheim within two points of the Bundesliga’s top four, keeping their Champions League aspirations alive. With Kramaric’s contract set to expire in the summer, this season could serve as a fitting farewell for a player who has dedicated nearly a decade to the club.

RB Leipzig had struggled without Assan Ouedraogo, winning only one of their last four matches, but his return marked a turning point as they defeated Freiburg 2-0. Although Ouedraogo was substituted in the 60th minute after his recent injury comeback, this win ended a two-game winless streak for Ole Werner’s team. As they prepare to face Bayern Munich this weekend, they must demonstrate that their 6-0 loss earlier in the season was an anomaly. Additionally, the returns of Antonio Nusa and Yan Diomande from injury and the Africa Cup of Nations will bolster their squad.

Defensively, Leipzig showed improvement against Freiburg, limiting them to just three shots—only one on target—and no significant scoring opportunities, which bodes well for their upcoming challenges.

In other midweek action, Borussia Dortmund convincingly defeated Werder Bremen 3-0, despite a lackluster first-half performance. Mainz also secured a crucial 2-1 victory against fellow relegation candidates Heidenheim.

In matches not previously covered, Bayern Munich triumphed over 1. FC Köln 3-1, while Wolfsburg edged past St. Pauli with a 2-1 win, providing them with a buffer from the relegation zone.

The final match of this Bundesliga matchday is set for Thursday, featuring Augsburg against Union Berlin.