It's tight at the top, as five clubs close in on Bayern Munich in title race
One of the tightest title races in history lies in store after Bayern Munich dropped points again, and those around them made up ground, although the question of who will win the 2022/23 Bundesliga title was not one many were so keen to answer...
Leipzig climb in leaps and bounds
Leipzig extended their unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga to 11 matches, thanks to a Dominik Szoboszlai double against VfB Stuttgart. The Hungarian has advanced into one of Leipzig's key performers, and he was naturally delighted with a brace which boosted his team's hopes in what promises to be one of the tightest title battles in history.
Watch: Szoboszlai on his double against Stuttgart
Union Berlin moved back up to second in the Bundesliga table after goals from Danilho Doekhi and Paul Seguin helped them claim derby bragging rights over Hertha Berlin for the fifth consecutive time in all competitions. Doekhi has scored four goals in the Bundesliga this season, all of them headers, and he had a cool head when asked about his feelings after yet another Union win.
Watch: Doekhi on derby win
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Götze satisfied after top-of-the-table tie
Bayern were held to a third straight 1-1 draw in 2023 with Randal Kolo Muani cancelling out Leroy Sane’s opener and earning Eintracht Frankfurt a point at the Allianz Arena. For Mario Götze, it was a satisfying return to his former hunting ground, and he promised Frankfurt will keep up the chase of the league leaders this season.
Watch: Götze on Frankfurt's "fight" for point
Dortmund maintain perfect start
Dortmund made it three wins from three in 2023 by beating in-form Bayer Leverkusen 2-0. Jude Bellingham captained the side in what was mature team display, though Gregor Kobel deserves credit for coming up with some crucial saves. The game also marked Sebastien Haller's first start since his recovery from cancer, in another fillip for Edin Terzic's side. BVB end the weekend in fourth place, three points behind Bayern.
Watch: Bellingham sings Dortmund's praises
After a 6-0 thumping in Wolfsburg and 1-1 draw at home to Frankfurt that saw Freiburg tumble from second over the winter break to sixth, Christian Streich's side got back on track with a confidence-restoring 3-1 victory over Augsburg. "We have won a lot of tight games because we battled through them but we are also blessed with some football quality," the coach said after his side extended their unbeaten run at home to 12 games - the club's best run since 2006 under Volker Finke. It also kept Freiburg only three points behind Bayern and level with Dortmund - who they visit next weekend - in fourth.
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