Germany round-up: Bayern suffer rare home defeat

1. Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern München were defeated at home in the league for the first time in more than two years as SV Werder Bremen earned a 1-0 win in the Olympiastadion.

Early winner
French playmaker Johan Micoud scored the only goal of the game after 13 minutes to inflict Bayern’s first home defeat since FC Schalke 04 were 3-1 winners in Munich in April 2001. Bayern created a number of presentable chances after falling behind, but were unable to take any of them.

Sizeable advantage
Despite the setback, Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side remained clear favourites to regain the league title, as second-placed VfB Stuttgart closed the gap at the top to eleven points with just six games left to play.

First-half control
First-half goals from Greek striker Ioannis Amanatidis and Belarusian midfield player Aleksandr Gleb were added to by Romania striker Viorel Ganea to give Stuttgart a 3-0 win at home against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who slipped back into the relegation zone following the defeat. Leverkusen dropped to 16th place, a point from safety.

Dortmund draw
Champions BV Borussia Dortmund slipped further behind in the standings as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Hamburger SV. The home side took the lead after 65 minutes through Argentinian striker Bernardo Romeo but Dortmund came back immediately and were level three minutes later through Czech Republic striker Jan Koller. The away side held on for a draw despite having to play the last 15 minutes with ten men following the dismissal of Torsten Frings for a second bookable offence.

Hertha closing in
Fourth-placed Hertha BSC Berlin moved to within two points of Dortmund with a 1-0 home win against VfL Bochum 1848, despite losing defender Dick van Burik to a red card after 41 minutes. Hungarian midfield player Pál Dárdai scored what proved to be the winner 20 minutes into the second half.

Crucial win
VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach moved away from the relegation zone with an important 2-0 win at home to fellow strugglers 1. FC Nürnberg, with goals in either half from Ivo Ulich and Mikael Forssell earning a vital three points.

Kaiserslautern up to ninth
Elsewhere, 1. FC Kaiserslautern’s revival contined with José Dominguez scoring the only goal of the game against FC Hansa Rostock, while two first-half goals from Artur Wichniarek earned DSC Arminia Bielefeld a 2-1 win at home to TSV 1860 München, with Martin Stranzl scoring for the visitors.

Sunday action
In Sunday’s game, FC Schalke 04 will be trying to reinvigorate their challenge for a European place as they play at home to bottom side FC Energie Cottbus, while VfL Wolfsburg take on Hannover 96.