Bundesliga
Bayern Munich stamped their authority over the Bundesliga in commanding style by hammering fourth-placed RB Leipzig 5-1 on Friday in a game that featured two goals in the opening two minutes for the first time in the league’s history.
Bayer Leverkusen will look to build on their recent good form and end their historic Bundesliga-winning year on a high when they host fifth-placed Freiburg on Saturday, manager Xabi Alonso said.
Bayern Munich will go into the mid-season break as Bundesliga "winter champions" but RB Leipzig will aim to put a dampener on any festive cheer when they face Vincent Kompany's side in their final game of the year on Friday.
The Bavarians, who take on Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, are undefeated in the Bundesliga and on 29 points following their fifth consecutive league game without conceding a goal.
Bayer Leverkusen delivered their most complete performance in the Bundesliga this season even though they failed to score after missing a bagful of chances on Friday in their goalless draw against visitors VfB Stuttgart, coach Xabi Alonso said.
Bayer Leverkusen's sloppy performance in their 2-2 draw at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Saturday that included conceding a 90th minute equaliser was down to the German champions' weak defending, coach Xabi Alonso said.
Dortmund will be hoping to bounce back has from their frustrating 5-2 defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League after leading 2-0, and a first league win on the road would boost their confidence, the manager added.
Sahin said Dortmund will work towards improving their away form, but added that it would have to wait until after their next game against St Pauli at home on Friday.
After Robert Andrich gave Leverkusen the lead, Bayern's Aleksandar Pavlovic levelled with a stunning half-volley from 25 metres out which beat goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky to leave the visitors third in the standings.
Bayern Munich are relishing the prospect of facing champions Bayer Leverkusen, manager Vincent Kompany said on Friday, as his side look to re-assert themselves as top dogs in the Bundesliga.
Bayer Leverkusen's 35-game unbeaten Bundesliga run came to an end in their last game and manager Xabi Alonso hopes the short time he has had with his players will be sufficient to get back to winning ways.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso asked for more unity in defence after the German champions saw their impressive unbeaten run in the Bundesliga end with a 3-2 defeat by RB Leipzig on Saturday.
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso asked for more character after his side beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-2 in the Bundesliga season opener on Friday through yet another stoppage-time winner.
Bayer Leverkusen are preparing for their biggest league game in decades on Sunday, when a home win over Werder Bremen would bring Xabi Alonso's unbeaten side their first Bundesliga title.
Bayern Munich have been handed a timely boost with the return of forwards Harry Kane and Kingsley Coman for their Bundesliga clash against rivals Borussia Dortmund, but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains sidelined with injury, manager Thomas Tuchel said.
Former Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm is convinced Bayer Leverkusen, who are seeking their first Bundesliga title, will end the Bavarian team's 11-year hegemony this year.
The result left champions Bayern, who have 54 points from 24 league matches, seven behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who have 61 and can pull further away with a win over Cologne on Sunday.
The Bundesliga leaders, who lacked their usual efficiency up front while also allowing the visitors enough space to attack, needed a mistake by Mainz keeper Robin Zentner to snatch the win.
Donyell Malen scored twice to help Borussia Dortmund to a 3-0 victory over visitors Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Friday and tighten their grip on fourth spot.
Champions Bayern, chasing a 12th consecutive league title, are in second place in the Bundesliga, two points behind Leverkusen, who are undefeated in all competitions this season for a 30-game unbeaten run.
