Bundesliga Matchday 10 Review: Bayern’s First Points Drop and Dramatic Derbies

Matchday 10 in the Bundesliga showcased a series of significant events, including Bayern Munich’s first points drop of the season, a managerial sacking, thrilling five-goal matches, late equalizers, and a Rhine derby featuring three penalties. Here is an overview of this exhilarating matchday.

For the first time in all competitions this season, Bayern Munich failed to secure a victory, settling for a draw against Union Berlin in the capital on Saturday afternoon. The Bavarians were fortunate not to leave with a loss after a controversial early decision.

Union Berlin’s striker, Ilyas Ansah, appeared to score in the 9th minute from a corner taken by Leopold Querfeld. However, after a protracted VAR review, the goal was disallowed due to Ansah being ruled marginally offside. The term “marginally” is crucial, as the difference was only about five millimeters, imperceptible to the naked eye.

Steffen Baumgart, Union’s coach, expressed his frustration at full-time: “The first goal is a goal. To disallow it for being five millimeters offside, someone has been huffing paint. I’ll draw that line 27 times for you.”

Despite the disallowed goal, Union took the lead in the 29th minute through Danilho Doekhi. Luis Diaz equalized for Bayern before halftime, but Doekhi scored again with just seven minutes remaining, seemingly sealing the victory for Union. Yet, in a dramatic twist, Harry Kane netted a 92nd-minute equalizer, ensuring the points were shared. Bayern remains at the top of the table, six points ahead of RB Leipzig in second place.

In the Rhine derby, Borussia Mönchengladbach secured a 3-1 victory over FC Köln, marking back-to-back wins following their first league victory last week. Although FC Köln entered the match with confidence, it was Gladbach who dominated much of the first half.

As the match neared halftime, Gladbach won a penalty after a foul by Kristoffer Lund on Franck Honorat. However, Haris Tabakovic’s penalty was saved by Köln goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe, resulting in a corner. From the ensuing corner, Philipp Sander volleyed home to give Gladbach a 1-0 lead. In a swift turn of events, Gladbach maintained momentum and were awarded another penalty for a handball by Lund, which Kevin Diks converted to make it 2-0. Tabakovic then added a third goal just three minutes later. Köln managed to score a late consolation penalty, but it was too late for a comeback.

With their 3-1 win in the derby, Gladbach is now contemplating the possibility of retaining interim coach Eugen Polanski beyond the upcoming international break.

On Friday night, Wolfsburg endured a disappointing defeat, succumbing to two late goals from Werder Bremen to lose 2-1 at Weser Stadium. This defeat left Wolfsburg in 14th place, just three points above the relegation zone. Following a run of poor results, the club announced the sacking of head coach Paul Simonis.

Wolfsburg confirmed that Daniel Bauer, the head coach of their U19 team, would take over on an interim basis. Bauer previously managed the first team in the final two league fixtures of the previous season after Ralph Hasenhüttl’s departure. Managing director Peter Christiansen stated, “The decision to release Paul Simonis was not an easy one for us. We greatly appreciated his work, his ideas, and his interaction with the team. This step is personally painful for me. We all bear responsibility for the current situation: the sporting management, the coaching team, the players, and the entire club.”

Wolfsburg will use the international break to seek a new head coach, with their next match scheduled against Bayer Leverkusen on the weekend of November 21.

In other Bundesliga action, Hamburger SV scored a dramatic last-minute equalizer to draw 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund. HSV deserved their point, while BVB managed only one shot on target throughout the match.

TSG Hoffenheim continued to impress with a 3-1 victory against RB Leipzig, moving up to sixth place and outperforming all other teams in points gained from losing positions this season.

Bayer Leverkusen recorded an emphatic 6-0 victory at home against Heidenheim, leading 5-0 at halftime and leaving late-arriving fans disheartened. Heidenheim faces a likely relegation this season, while Leverkusen looks solid.

In other fixtures, SC Freiburg triumphed 2-1 over St. Pauli, VfB Stuttgart edged FC Augsburg 3-2, and Eintracht Frankfurt secured a narrow 1-0 win against Mainz 05.