Hard Working Weekend
Munich - It's Labor Day in Europe and the local football teams all put in an honest effort. FC Bayern rolled over FC Schalke 4-1 at the Allianz Arena Saturday afternoon, but they were not the only hardworking Munich or Bavarian football team this weekend. Here's your football wrap.
TSV 1860 München 2, Hertha BSC Berlin 1 - It's been a season of trials and tribulations - on and off the pitch - for the Lions. But this recent stretch and the match on Friday makes one wonder what could have been this season.
Defenders Necat Aygün and Stefan Buck scored in the second half as 1860 came from behind to beat promotion-bound Berlin 2-1 in front of 60,000 at Olympic Stadium. The Munich have not lost to Berlin in all six matches when matched up in the second division of the Bundesliga. They also won all their matches against both clubs from the capital city this season.
"Ultimately it was a well-earned victory," said Lions head coach Reiner Maurer. "It was important that we won today. All 11 players were involved and that was the key to our success."
The loss delayed a championship celebration for Berlin and opens the door for FC Augsburg to make a run at the second division championship. Augsburg wins in the last three matches starting Monday at FC Energie Cottbus and continued Berlin slipups will give FCA the championship. Regardless, Berlin will play in the top flight next year, something the Lions were hoping for and will have to wait one more season.
Goal scorer Buck put it best. "To earn promotion, a team has to be consistent throughout the season. Unfortunately that was not the case with us." 19 points in their last 9 matches is a positive sign that the team can build on for the remaining matches and for next season.
Munich will end their home schedule with their last Bavarian Derby Sunday. FC Ingolstadt who are now safe from relegation will travel south to the Allianz Arena. The two clubs drew 1-1 back in December at Audi Sport Park. Kickoff at 13:30.
Borussia Dortmund 2, 1.FC Nürnberg 0 - Dortmund beat Nuremberg to clinch the Bundesliga title for this season. It's their first title since the 2001-02 season. Head coach Jürgen Klopp built a young and talented team that were at the top of the table since matchday 10. The mediocrity beneath them in the table never threaten their title run.
The defeat was a setback for Nuremberg. Combined with 1.FSV Mainz's 3-0 win versus Eintracht Frankfurt, Der Club lost ground for the second Europa League berth. With two matches left, Mainz lead by 5 points and win at Schalke next week will secure their spot in the continental competition. Nuremberg host 1899 Hoffenheim hoping a win and help from Schalke can bring this race down to the final matchday.
FC Ingolstadt 0, FC Erzgebirge Aue 0 - Ingolstadt's well-earned point and losses by VfL Osnabrück and Red-White Oberhausen will keep FCI in the second division next season. Their match on Sunday against 1860 is no longer a must win but it's a derby and one has to throw out the records in such matches.
SpVgg Greuther Fürth 1, DSC Arminia Bielefeld 0 - Fürth kept their hopes for the promotion playoff spot alive with the win. VfL Bochum 1848 who currently hold a two point lead also won, crushing 1.FC Union Berlin 3-0. This race for the chance to earn promotion to the Bundesliga may also go down to the final matchday, as both teams will be playing teams lower in the table. A major slip up by either will make this one exciting. Stay tuned.
