Bundesliga Matchday 16 in pictures
The Bundesliga features midweek games for the second time this term. The Peter Stöger era begins as Borussia Dortmund face Mainz and Leverkusen look to extend their unbeaten run. Leipzig held to a draw at Wolfsburg.
Petersen penalty stuns Gladbach
Nils Petersen's nerves of steel ensured back-to-back wins for Freiburg as Christian Streich's side welcomed an in-form Gladbach to the Schwarzwald-Stadion. His hat-trick against Cologne last weekend inspired an unlikely comeback from three goals down to win 4-3; he was at it again on Tuesday night, scoring the game's only goal from the spot.
Wolfsburg and Leipzig share the spoils
Paul Verhaegh's last 16 league goals have all come from the penatly spot; a new Bundesliga record. The home side will be stewing on a number of squandered chances from open play, however, as they secured a tenth draw of the season. Marcel Halstenberg drew Leipzig level on 52 minutes, though the visitors rarely looked like winning it.
Dortmund back to winning ways
Sokratis spins away in delight after smashing Borussia Dortmund into the lead against Mainz. The Greek defender notched the first goal of the Peter Stöger era in a 2-0 victory which wasn't nearly as comfortable as the scoreline suggests. This was Dortmund's first Bundesliga victory since September, against Augsburg on Matchday 7.
Eintracht bounce back to sink Hamburg
Eintracht Frankfurt reversed an early defecit to collect all three points away at hapless Hamburg. Mijat Gacinovic provided the finishing touch on the game's decisive move, slotting home the second in the 24th minute. Frankfurt have now recorded five wins on the road this season and move up to fifth place in the table.
Staving off Stuttgart
Hoffenheim, who had just one win in their last six games coming into the contest, was not having much success against Stuttgart. But Mark Uth (bottom of the photo, sliding for the ball) was able to deliver the killing stroke after a shot from Pavel Kaderabek (right) clanged off the post. Uth now has eight goals on the season and remains one of the Bundesliga's top scorers.
Kalou carrying Hertha
After scoring a late equalizer against Augsburg over the weekend, Salomon Kalou scored two more goals in the first half in Hertha's game against Hannover on Wednesday. His teammates welcomed him with open arms after his first, likely grateful for the four points he has helped them secure over the past four days.
Lewandowski strikes again
Cologne did all they could to prevent the defending Bundesliga champions from scoring, even deploying defender Lukas Klünter as the lone forward. But there seems to be no stopping Robert Lewandowski (pictured), who scored the game's only goal — albeit not with very much style. The Polish striker now has 15 goals in 16 Bundesliga games and sits firmly atop the German league's goal scoring list.
Second placed Schalke
Guido Burgstaller (third from left, mouth wide open) had much to be jubilant about as Schalke dispatched Augsburg 3-2 in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday. He doubled the lead for the Royal Blues shortly after the break, his seventh goal of the season. His side then was able to hold off Augsburg to rise to second in the Bundesliga table.
Early bird gets the win
Eleven minutes into Leverkusen's game with Werder Bremen, Lucas Alario (right) finished off a cross from Leon Bailey to open the scoring. It was the fastest goal the Werkself have scored this season, and it turned out to be the only goal they needed as they beat Bremen 1-0. Leverkusen are now in fourth place after extending their unbeaten run to 11 games.