by Ryland JAMES
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Ailing German giants Borussia Dortmund remain in the Bundesliga’s relegation places after twice throwing away the lead in a 2-2 draw with second-placed VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday.
The draw leaves defending champions Bayern Munich 11 points clear at the top of the table.
A piece of sloppy defending five minutes from time ultimately cost Dortmund the three points when Wolfsburg’ Brazil defender Naldo headed home having been left unmarked at a corner.
“That was an intensive game against a very good opponent, Wolfsburg are a top team,” said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp.
“We played well and that was okay for today.”
Despite reaching the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will face Juventus, Dortmund have the worst record in the Bundesliga with nine defeats in their first 16 matches and are 16th in the table.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s early goal for Dortmund was cancelled out by a Kevin de Bruyne free-kick in the first-half.
Ciro Immobile restored Dortmund’s lead with a stunning strike 14 minutes from time before Naldo rescued a point for Wolves.
“That shouldn’t have happened,” admitted Klopp when he saw a replay of Wolfsburg’s late equaliser when renowned header Naldo was allowed to roam unmarked in the area.
“But that’s the way things are for us at the moment and now we go on.”
Ten-man Werder Bremen, who host Dortmund on Saturday, remain rooted to the bottom of the table after their 4-1 defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach, who move up to third.
Striker Max Kruse and defender Oscar Wendt put Gladbach 2-0 up at the break before Bremen’s dead-ball specialist Zlatko Junuzovic smashed home a second-half free-kick.
But Bremen had Luca Caldirola sent off with an hour gone for a second bookable offence before Christoph Kramer and Swedish striker Branimir Hrgota added Gladbach’s goals.
Bayer Leverkusen drop to fourth on goal difference despite Stefan Kiessling’s goal giving them a 1-0 win at Hoffenheim.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Alexander Meier rescued his side with two goals in added time to seal a stunning 4-4 draw at home to Hertha Berlin.
Hertha were 4-2 up with 90 minutes played before Meier struck to take his tally to a Bundesliga best 12 goals.
Schalke are up to fifth after a 2-1 come-back win at Paderborn.
On Tuesday, Bayern beat Freiburg 2-0, Netherlands winger Arjen Robben scoring his 100th goal for the German champions.
Only a superb display from Freiburg goalkeeper Roman Burki kept the scoreline respectable as Bayern fired in 31 shots on goal — a Bundesliga record this season.
Goals by Robben and Thomas Mueller sealed Bayern’s win ahead of their final match of the year at Mainz on Friday.
Victory came at a price with defender Mehdi Benatia ruled out with a groin strain.
Striker Robert Lewandowski, midfielder Xabi Alonso and Jerome Boateng are all doubts as well, having taken knocks during the game.
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Dortmund stay in bottom three after Wolves draw
