There was a collective gasp by Bundesliga fans watching the top match between VfL Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich. Not only had Grafite just scored an outrageously brilliant back-heeled goal that sent the broadcasters into a replay-showing, superlative-searching frenzy – it also happed to be the fifth goal in a 5-1 demolition of Bayern that put Wolfsburg top of the league.

Ten touches in eight seconds to take out five Wolfsburg players – Grafite’s Goal of the Year personified Wolfsburg’s dominance: He received the ball from Dzeko in left midfield and dribbled towards Ottl who backed off the striker allowing him to run into the box. Lell had come across to help his teammate, but the Brazilian faked left and then cut inside squeezing between the two players to come across the face of goal. With goalkeeper Rensing closing down the angle he continued his parallel run and executed a cheeky back heel bamboozling Lahm and Breno who had rushed back.

Former Bayern coach Felix Magath was understandably pleased. He had been given the boot in Munich despite winning the double in consecutive seasons. He was all gentlemanly understatement after the match, but this was sweet revenge.

Yet it had not looked like a rout at half time. The first half was mainly a midfield tussle for supremacy. Plenty of tackles and very few shots on goal. Gentner had taken one of the rare chances with a neat header off a pin-point Misimovic cross in the 44th minute, but Toni equalized just a minute later to keep things all square as the teams headed off down the tunnel for the break.

Second-half supremacy

But whereas Bayern’s front line were left with less service than customers of their shirt sponsor, Wolfburg’s attack managed to get through time and time again in the second half.

A fluid attacking move saw Genter play Schäfer into space. He sprinted down the left wing and delivered a perfect cross for Dzeko to convert. Just 129 seconds later it was the Bosnian who was celebrating again. He passed the ball to playmaker Misimovic, who crafted an inch-perfect return ball which Dzeko took with him in full stride, gently cushioning the ball into his path with the outside of his foot. His first touch was so good that the ball was perfectly set up for his finish, which he slotted into the right hand corner with his left foot (66th min.)

At 3-1 Bayern were on the ropes and Wolfsburg were in the mood for more: In the 74th minute Gentner played a long ball into the box for Grafite. He shielded the ball from Breno, spun and scored. Then, just thee minutes later, he went on his mazy run to score the spectacular goal that was the nail in the coffin for Bayern and ensured it would be a game long remembered.

Berlin slip up again

With Hertha BSC Berlin one point clear at the top of the league going into the game, it needed a slip-up on their behalf for Wolfsburg to take top spot. Hertha had won 10 games on the trot at home, but found themselves behind early as Swiss international Alex Frei opened the scoring in the 25th minute to cap off his team’s strong opening period. There were plenty of chances on both sides, but it took until the 55th minute before the net bulged again: Raffael hopped, skipped and danced his way into the box past five hapless-looking Dortmund defenders to equalize in style. It was quite a day for memorable goals.

Berlin were in control and carved out a number of chances and it looked to be just a matter of time until they took the lead. But in the 63rd minute Dede hit a hopeful cross from a deep position and Dortmund captain Kehl came sailing into the box to meet it with a well-placed powerful header. Dortmund had the lead again.

It was all or nothing for Hertha as they threw on more strikers. Unfortunately for them, they missed a couple of sitters and managed to concede another goal on the break. Hertha, who were 4 points clear at the top of the league two weeks ago, dropped to third.

Hamburg hot on Wolfburg’s heels

That is because Hamburg beat unlucky Hoffenheim 1-0 at home. The surprise package of the league in the first half of the season, 1899 Hoffenheim have struggled since the winter break, picking up just one win at home against Energie Cottbus on January 31. Plagued by injuries, they have only managed six draws and two defeats since that win.

Hoffenheim were unlucky not to get anything out of the game. They were poor in the first half, falling behind to a 28th minute Pitroipa strike, but picked up their game in the second half and laid siege to Frank Rost’s goal. But without their injured striker Ibisevic they lacked the killer instinct in front of goal and were once again left empty-handed, as Hamburg took the three points to go second, equal on points with Wolfsburg.

For Bundesliga coverage in German see:  http://blog.magazine-deutschland.de/

Match day 26 results:

Arminia Bielefeld - FC Schalke 04: 0:2 (0:1)
Hertha BSC - Borussia Dortmund: 1:3 (0:1)
VfL Wolfsburg - Bayern München: 5:1 (1:1)
VfL Bochum - VfB Stuttgart: 1:2 (0:0)
Eintracht Frankfurt - Energie Cottbus: 2:1 (1:1)
Hamburger SV - 1899 Hoffenheim: 1:0 (1:0)
Werder Bremen - Hannover 96: 4:1 (1:0)
Karlsruher SC - Bor. Mönchengladbach: 0:0
1. FC Köln - Bayer Leverkusen: 0:2 (0:0)

Table

1 VfL Wolfsburg      51 P
2 Hamburger SV 51 P
3 Hertha BSC Berlin     49 P
4 Bayern München    48 P
5 VfB Stuttgart     45 P
6 1899 Hoffenheim   44 P
7 FC Schalke 04     40 P
8 Borussia Dortmund  40 P
9 Bayer Leverkusen    38 P
10 Werder Bremen    32 P
11 1. FC Köln   32 P
12 Eintracht Frankfurt    29 P
13 Hannover 96    26 P
14 VfL Bochum   25 P
15 Arminia Bielefeld     24 P
16 Borussia Mönchengladbach   22 P
17 Energie Cottbus     20 P
18 Karlsruher SC   17 P