Bayer Leverkusen won the Rhine derby 2-1 at Cologne, Freiburg beat Union Berlin 2-0 and Hoffenheim edged Schalke 2-1 on the final day of Bundesliga Matchday 9 on Sunday, completing a round that leaves Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund locked together at the top.
Aleix Garcia’s stunning free-kick set Leverkusen on their way at the RheinEnergieStadion, and Patrik Schick struck late to restore the lead after Cologne had threatened a comeback, according to Bundesliga and Sportradar. Freiburg’s win, meanwhile, lifts them back to third — just two points behind the leaders.
It was a Sunday of tight games and late goals, and the Bundesliga table is taking shape as the season approaches its second third.
Schick seals the derby
Garcia opened the scoring for Leverkusen in the seventh minute with a free-kick that curled into the top-left corner, and the visitors looked in control. But Cologne, roared on by their home crowd, fought back, and Said El Mala’s stoppage-time effort made for a nervy finish.
Schick’s 85th-minute goal proved decisive. The Czech striker’s tally for the season now stands at eight Bundesliga goals, equalling a long-standing club record, and his late strike gave Leverkusen a derby win that keeps them in the hunt for the European places.
Freiburg back to third
Freiburg’s 2-0 win over Union Berlin was built on a second-half surge. A Rani Khedira own goal in the 56th minute gave the hosts the lead, and Suzuki added a second in the 67th minute to seal the win at the Europa-Park Stadion.
The result takes Freiburg to 19 points, two behind Bayern and Dortmund on 21, and reclaims third place for the Black Forest club. Union, meanwhile, remain in mid-table after a defeat that exposed their struggles against the division’s best sides.
Hoffenheim’s 2-1 win over Schalke, sealed by goals from Fisnik Asllani and Tim Lemperle, completed the round. Chidozie Adamu pulled one back for the visitors late on, but Hoffenheim held on.
What comes next
Bayern and Dortmund, both on 21 points, lead the way into the international break, with Freiburg two behind and Leipzig three back. Leverkusen’s derby win keeps them in touch, and the Bundesliga title race — a two-horse contest for now — will resume after the fortnight off with neither leader showing signs of slowing down.
Read more: Bayern and Dortmund both win 2-1 to stay top of Bundesliga
