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Bundesliga: Dortmund defeated, Bayern win

Jonathan HardingDecember 19, 2015

On the final matchday before Christmas, the festive cheer was to be found in Cologne and Hannover. The winter break might be longer for Viktor Skripnik though, after his trip to Frankfurt.

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Bundesliga 17. Spieltag FC Köln - Borussia Dortmund
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/D.Grombkowski

Cologne 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
(Zoller 83', Modeste 90' - Sokratis 19')

Dortmund dropped points in their final Bundesliga game of 2015, as Cologne joined Hamburg as a bogey team for BVB. Sokratis' header broke the deadlock for a starting eleven that left many Dortmund fans scratching their heads. Jonas Hofmann missed the chance to impress on his return, as Dortmund's grip on the game weakened. Roman Bürki appeared to have kept his side ahead after two fantastic saves, but then spoiled his performance by assisting Cologne for their equalizer. Wobbling towards the finish, Dortmund panicked. Marcel Schmelzer's clearance was poor and Cologne quickly got the ball forward to feed Anthony Modeste. The Frenchman's first goal in 752 minutes left Cologne full of festive cheer and Dortmund distraught.

Bundesliga 17. Spieltag Hannover 96 - FC Bayern München
Thomas Müller was the difference in HannoverImage: Getty Images/Bongarts/S. Franklin

Hannover 0-1 Bayern Munich
(Müller pen. 40')

Bayern Munich fans will have to wait until Sunday to find out the future of Pep Guardiola, and the wait for a goal in Hannover felt just as frustrating. The home side struggled to get out of their own half, with only the crossbar and Ron-Robert Zieler's best performance of the season keeping the score level. A moment of madness from Christian Schulz changed that, leaving Thomas Müller to take his goals tally to 14, the most he has ever scored in a Bundesliga season. He did and that was that. A muted second half left Bayern perhaps feeling they should have scored more in the first 45 minutes, but to win on a day Dortmund dropped points is the perfect finish to 2015. Now for the news on Sunday.

Bundesliga 17. Spieltag FC Ingolstadt Bayer Leverkusen
The win was a timely one for LeverkusenImage: Getty Images/Bongarts/L. Preiss

Ingolstadt 0-1 Leverkusen
(Chicharito 73')

Nineteen goals after 22 games in Leverkusen colors isn't a bad start, especially when your former employers are in need of your goals. After the win against Gladbach, the Stefan Kießling-Chicharito partnership failed to spark again in Ingolstadt and the visitors had their fair share of fortune in their win. Wendell nearly deflected a low cross into his own net, but cleared it off the line to stop it going in off the post. A counterattack and a smart pass from Karim Bellarabi - who is learning the value of having Chicharito in attack - left the Mexican with the chance he needed.

Bundesliga 17. Spieltag Stuttgart - Wolfsburg
Stuttgart's finest performance in 2015 saw them beat Wolfsburg and move out of the relegation zoneImage: picture-alliance/dpa/D. Maurer

Stuttgart 3-1 Wolfsburg
(Didavi 24', 47', Kostic 34' - Arnold 14')

Stuttgart delivered their best performance of the season to potentially leave Wolfsburg outside of the top six at the end of the final matchday in 2015. Despite having taken the lead, Wolfsburg were deservedly down at the break as Stuttgart poured forward in impressive fashion. Daniel Didavi's superb curling effort leveled the scores before Filip Kostic finished off a counterattack. Timo Werner's poor composure in front of goal threatened to cost the home side, but Didavi's second came from interplay Bayern would have been proud of. The woodwork took a battering from both sides and then Stuttgart had a man sent off, threatening to spoil their efforts. Chances came for Wolfsburg but when Sebastian Jung headed over an empty goal from two yards out, Stuttgart knew the points were theirs. The win lifts them out of the relegation zone and gives head coach Jürgen Kramny his first ever Bundesliga win.

Bundesliga 17. Spieltag Eintracht Frankfurt - Werder Bremen
Werder lost despite going aheadImage: Getty Images/Bongarts/M. Hangst

Frankfurt 2-1 Werder Bremen
(Meier 31', Aigner 48' - Pizarro 29')

Claudio Pizarro's fantastic first half strike counted for nothing as Eintracht Frankfurt won a game that both sides badly needed. Viktor Skripnik's side conceded immediately after taking the lead and then started the second half in the worst possible way. Haris Seferovic missed a glorious chance on the hour mark, but it mattered not. The win gives Armin Veh a bit more time after Christmas, which isn't the case for Skripnik, who faces a critical festive period.

Bundesliga 17. Spieltag Hamburger SV - FC Augsburg
Augsburg have recovered after a slow startImage: Getty Images/Bongarts/O. Hardt

Hamburg 0-1 Augsburg
(Moravek 75')

Having weathered a storm in the first half, Augsburg snatched a win in Hamburg to finish their season in resurgent form. Ivo Ilicevic couldn't get the better of Marwin Hitz throughout the game and despite Lewis Holtby's remarkable return to form, Hamburg couldn't convert. Augsburg were the much better side in the second 45 minutes and eventually Rene Adler couldn't do more as Jan Moravek pounced on a rebound. Michael Gregoritsch nearly equalized late on, but result aside, both teams can finish the year proud of their efforts.