While Bayern won its match in London against the Gunners, it wasn't without controversy. The red card, which was appropriate under the circumstances, left Arsenal short handed for most of the 90 minutes. Two wasted penalty kicks, one by David Alaba that hit the goal post and another by Mesut Oezel, testing his childhood friend Manuel Neuer was not consequent enough. The long standing rivalry between German and English teams is always filled with emotions, controversy and allegations. In the end it was a 90 minutes of football and one team emerged as the winner.
Despite Eintracht Frankfurt's mediocre record in the Bundesliga this season, the side managed a 2-2 draw with FC Porto in Euro League play. During the upcoming week, Dortmund plays St. Petersburg, while Schalke 04 has the thankless task of getting a good result against Real Madrid.
Schalke host Mainz 05 in the matchday opener this evening. Mainz has recently moved into seventh spot and the side still has aspirations for a Euro League spot for next season. Schalke is closing up on Dortmund and Leverkusen and a win could move the Knappen that much closer. Today's match should be a spectator's delight with both team's aspiration. Schalke should win with home advantage.
Leverkusen will be in Wolfsburg hoping for an away win and solidifying its second place spot. For Wolfsburg there is a good opportunity to capture a berth in the Champions League. With Leverkusen's recent performance Wolfsburg has a good opportunity of winning this match.
Dortmund travels north to Hamburg and this should be an easy win for the Borussen. A win would certainly be a good moral booster prior to the trip to St. Petersburg next week. For Hamburg, currently in 17th spot, just one point ahead of tailgate Braunschweig, it is a do or die match. Last week Hamburg fired its coach and this may not have been enough time for a new coach to turn the club around.
Saturday is rounded out by matches between Nuernberg and Braunschweig and Stuttgart hosting Berlin. Both Stuttgart and Nuernberg are barely out of the relegation zone and need a win. Berlin gave up three points at home last weekend and has slipped into eighth spot. The newly promoted side still has aspirations of a Euro League spot, but remaining in the Bundesliga was the club's first goal.
On Sunday FC Bayern travels to Hannover and this should be an easy match for the Bavarians. Frankfurt hosts Bremen with both sides under pressure to perform. Will Frankfurt have the advantage of the home match?
As the league moves toward the final stretch, it certainly appears that FC Bayern can't be pushed off another league championship. Can Leverkusen remain in second spot with Dortmund and Schalke threatening? Those questions will be answered in the weeks to come. There is a definite relegation battle developing, as is the fight for a Euro League spot. Regardless of the outcomes this weekend, the fans should be thoroughly entertained.
Friday February 21
Schalke 04 - FSV Mainz 05 0-0
Saturday February 22
Bor. Mönchengladbach vs 1899 Hoffenheim
SC Freiburg vs FC Augsburg
1. FC Nürnberg vs Eintr. Braunschweig
Hamburger SV vs Borussia Dortmund
VfB Stuttgart vs Hertha BSC
VfL Wolfsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen
Sunday 23 February
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Werder Bremen
Hannover 96 vs Bayern München
Posn Team GP W D L GF/GA Points
1 FC Bayern 21 19 2 0 53:9 59
2 Leverkusen 21 14 1 6 38:22 43
3 Dortmund 21 13 3 5 51:24 42
4 Schalke 22 12 5 5 41:28 41
5 Wolfsburg 21 11 3 7 35:25 36
6 M'gladbach 21 10 4 7 37:26 34
7 Mainz 22 10 4 8 31:36 34
8 Hertha BSC 21 9 4 8 32:25 31
9 Augsburg 21 9 4 8 30:30 31
10 Hoffenheim 21 6 7 8 44:44 26
11 Hannover 21 7 3 11 29:37 24
12 Bremen 21 5 6 10 25:46 21
13 Frankfurt 21 4 6 10 24:38 21
14 Nürnberg 21 3 11 7 25:36 20
15 Stuttgart 21 5 4 12 33:43 19
16 Freiburg 21 4 7 11 20:40 19
17 Hamburg 21 4 4 13 35:51 16
18 B'schweig 21 4 3 14 15:39 15
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