Bundesliga Column - Round 28: Bayern Munich close the gap at the top

Round 28 of the 2011/12 Bundesliga season saw Borussia Dortmund drop vital points in the title race in a sensational 4-4 draw against Stuttgart as Bayern Munich reduced the gap at the top to only three points now; while the relegation battle has intensified further with Freiburg, Augsburg and Hamburg picking-up wins, while Cologne, Hertha Berlin and Kaiserslautern lost.

On Friday evening Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart played out most likely the match of this season. The game ended four-all after especially an intense and incredible last 20 minutes. Dortmund looked to be in-charge after taking an early 2-0 lead by the 49th minute through Kagawa and Blaszczykowski, but Stuttgart turned things around with three goals in eight minutes as strikers Ibisevic and then a double from Schieber scored. Dortmund hit back through goals from Hummels and Perisic
to make it 4-3, but Gentner scored a sensational equaliser in the second minute of injury time.

Dortmund lost crucial points in the title race then Bayern Munich won their away tie in Nürnberg and reduced the gap at the top now only three points. The two clubs are set to meet in Dortmund on April 11 which could be the title decider, especially if Dortmund win and once more widen the gap.

Behind the top duo the clubs fighting for UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League places are in no mood to win as Schalke, Gladbach, Leverkusen, Bremen, Stuttgart all dropped points as Hannover moved into fifth place while Wolfsburg in ninth are also in with a chance.

In the relegation battle Hamburg after four losses scored a big point why winning away to bottom club 1.Kaiserslautern, who now look relegated. Hertha BSC Berlin played well against Wolfsburg but were trashed 1-4 and stay in 17th position, while FC Cologne dropped to the playoff spot 16th after the loss away to FC Augsburg who continue their good run just like SC Freiburg who won away in Leverkusen.


Round 28 Results

Borussia Dortmund 4-4 VfB Stuttgart
Bayer 04 Leverkusen 0-2 SC Freiburg
1.FC Kaiserslautern 0-1 Hamburger SV
FC Augsburg 2-1 1.FC Köln
1.FC Nürnberg 0-1 FC Bayern München
SV Werder Bremen 0-3 1.FSV Mainz 05
Hertha BSC Berlin 1-4 VfL Wolfsburg
Hannover 96 2-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach
1899 Hoffenheim 1-1 FC Schalke 04