Bayern ‘winter champion’
berlin — Arturo Vidal’s first-half goal was enough for Bayern to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 and claim the unofficial title of “winter champion” as second-place Leipzig was held to a 2-2 draw at home by Mainz on Saturday.
Frankfurt made a bright start but Vidal broke the deadlock with a header off Joshua Kimmich’s fine cross to the far post after Frankfurt only halfcleared a corner in the 20th.
It was the fourth consecutive league game in which Vidal scored, confirming his improved impact since Jupp Heynckes returned as coach. Heynckes, who previously coached Vidal at Bayer Leverkusen, had called on the Chile midfielder to improve his game. Frankfurt Dortmund 1 Bremen Frankfurt 0 Bayern Hamburg 0 Wolfsburg Leipzig 2 Mainz PlAyeD ON FriDAy Stuttgart 0 Leverkusen 2 1 0 2 2 refused to give up and caused problems for the league leaders until Marius Wolf was sent off with just under 20 minutes remaining for a challenge on James Rodriguez. Two minutes later, the Frankfurt midfielder was back on again after referee Harm Osmers consulted video replays and changed his mind. Osmers called Wolf back and showed him a yellow card. Hamburger SV was held 0-0 at home by Wolfsburg.
Schalke had the chance to go second later Saturday with a win at Borussia Moenchengladbach, which could go third.
Borussia Dortmund fans are wondering how much longer Peter Bosz can remain as coach after a 2-1 defeat at home to Werder Bremen on Saturday, the side’s eighth straight Bundesliga game without a win.
Dortmund, which previously led the league after a brilliant start, hasn’t won in the Bundesliga since September and defeat to relegationthreatened Bremen was the side’s 10th game without a win in any competition. —