Bundesliga Awards | The 33rd Bundesliga matchday is over. Some decisions have been made, especially in the relegation battle it got dramatic on Saturday. In addition, Robert Lewandowski managed a historic brand.
“Young and wild” award: Schalke 04
The FC Schalke 04 is relegated. This is not news, it was already certain recently. The Royal Blues are already planning for the 2nd Bundesliga and deploy one or two young players. Matthew Hoppe, Can Bozdogan, Florian Flick: These are the names of players who should play for the Royal Blues in the second Bundesliga. In the game against Eintracht Frankfurt, the “young and wild” showed what they can do. Because Schalke played a very decent football at times!
Of course, also due to defensive disintegration phenomena in the Hessians. But Matthew Hoppe scored, the same was true for Florian Flick and with Blendi Idrizi the third youngster also scored a goal. You inevitably get the impression that Schalke is quite well equipped, at least at the talent level, when it comes to going into the 2nd Bundesliga. For Frankfurt, who lost 3: 4 to Schalke, that was a realization on Saturday afternoon that they would have gladly done without in the fight for the Champions League.
“HisTORisch” award: Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski made it. The FC Bayern Munich striker scored his 40th goal this season against SC Freiburg. With this he has set Gerd Müller’s record. Year after year it was doubted that this record could ever be set. However, the run of Poland 2020/21 is so outstanding that not even a minor injury was able to end it shortly before the end of the season. History was made in Freiburg on the 33rd match day.
And this is how it happened: After a corner kick, a defender of SC Freiburg kicked Thomas Müller from behind on the foot. The record champions’ attacking player went down and after the VAR intervened, FC Bayern was consequently awarded a penalty. Of course, Lewandowski did not miss this penalty. The striker ran up, delayed briefly and – as usual – pushed in casually. Including gesture to the great Gerd Müller. Historical.
“Rescuer in need” award: Markus Weinzierl
Markus Weinzierl followed in the final sprint of the Bundesliga as coach of FC Augsburg to Heiko Herrlich. This decision was in the making, but the new coach had little time to sort things out in the relegation battle. The first appearance against VfB Stuttgart gave courage, but there was still no sense of achievement. Immediately afterwards, the relegation final against Werder Bremen was on the program. And right from the start it was clear that it would be a nerve-racking game.
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Two sent offs, numerous missed opportunities before a goal was even scored. That made it very clear what it was about and what was at stake. The 1: 0 was emblematic. Rani Khedira came to the ball after a corner kick, spun, shot, and didn’t even hit the ball properly. Somehow the game device spun to 1-0 in the mesh. Later scored Daniel Caligiuri with a hit from a penalty it was still 2-0. Weinzierl came in need, won the relegation final and saved the FCA. Because the relegation is now fixed.
“Mission accomplished” award: Bo Svensson and Mainz 05
Not only the FC Augsburg could cheer, also the FSV Mainz 05. And that’s something like the story of the Bundesliga season. Because the 05ers were absolutely “dead”, together with Schalke 04 they were beaten at the bottom of the table. Bo Svensson took over, Christian Heidel returned, and things took their course. That the results on Saturday were sufficient and Mainz was able to celebrate the safe rescue in the team hotel came as a bit of a surprise. Because recently the Svensson-Elf attracted attention, especially on the pitch.
In any case, Bielefeld and Cologne only got one point, Werder, as is well known, lost in Augsburg. After a second half of the season that was worthy of a European Cup participant, Mainz 05 celebrated relegation. And that is to be taken literally, because there were numerous videos and pictures of the team’s celebration on social media. It will be interesting to see how the team presents itself in the coming season with a complete preparation under Svensson.
“Joy and Sorrow” Award: Andreas Voglsammer
Andreas Voglsammer would have been the hero for on Saturday Arminia Bielefeld can be. Ostwestfalen had to face TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the relegation battle at home. The guests from Kraichgau were in the lead early and played a counterattack very well. But Bielefeld, which has developed well under Frank Kramer, reacted very well. The already mentioned Voglsammer brought Arminia back into the game with a remarkable goal. The offensive player converted a direct free kick very nicely into the upper left corner.
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In the further course of the game, Voglsammer could have ensured that Arminia turned the game around on his own. Completely free, he appeared in front of the opposing goalkeeper, completed directly and failed to Philipp Pentke, who maneuvered the ball past the post with his rear. On the last matchday, Bielefeld, which overtook Werder Bremen with the point, still has realistic chances of staying up.
“Winged” award: Borussia Dortmund
Won on Thursday Borussia Dortmund in the final of the DFB-Pokal against RB Leipzig with 4: 1. BVB wanted to take the momentum with them into the Bundesliga. Because there was the fight for the Champions League on the program. Dortmund had to win in Mainz to fix the qualification for the premier class. The hosts were sure to stay in the league before the game and celebrated a little the day before, according to the coach.
BVB left no doubts from the start and dominated the game. Raphael Guerreiro gave the guests the lead, Marco Reus followed suit. Dortmund was visibly inspired and used the available space again and again to create good opportunities. The 0: 3 of Julian Brandt then basically put the lid on. The 05er still scored, and in the end both teams celebrated.
Traumtor Award: Maximilian Philipp
At the end of the game day, RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg met on late Sunday evening. The guests from Wolfsburg got off to a very good start in this game and had a very good first chance through Ridle Baku. Then came the appearance of Maximilian Philippwho apparently had big plans for this game in Leipzig.
In the course of a nice attack by the guests, the offensive player was served, took the ball with his left so that he jumped up a bit and shot directly with his right foot towards the goal. Philipp hit the ball perfectly, the ball hit the top right corner of the goal. Peter Gulacsi had absolutely no chance. Things got even better for the striker afterwards, as he also scored the 0: 2 just before half-time!
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