Daily Schmankerl: Bundesliga Recap; Munich Derby Day (in the 3.Liga); Poop-throwing Union fans?; Rafinha is a Copa Libertadores winner; and more!

Bundesliga recap

The Bundesliga remains wild, everyone.

Following Borussia Dortmund’s dramatic, come-from-behind draw against bottom of the table Paderborn, their archnemesis Schalke saw their chance. If Schalke could take all three points away to Werder Bremen, they would leapfrog their Revierderby rivals in the table. Nobody ever expects Schalke to come through when they have the possibility to achieve something successful, so the fact that they won this game is still shocking. Now, after Matchday 12, Schalke have 22 points and Dortmund have 20.

Borussia Mönchengladbach’s lead in the Bundesliga has shrunk down to just ONE point over both RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich following their shocking 2-0 loss against Union Berlin. Just when it looked like Marco Rose’s side were cruising with three straight Bundesliga wins, they hit this pothole in the nation’s capital. It’s not going to get easier for Gladbach. Next weekend, they’ll play fourth place Freiburg. Speaking of...

SC Freiburg is the greatest overachieving club that I’ve seen in any sport. It’s never not stunning to me to witness what Christian Streich does with that club year after year after year. Sure, we’re only twelve games into the current season, but Freiburg is sitting in fourth place and have looked damn good to date. Losing Luca Waldschmidt is going to catch up with them at some point, but watching this team succeed brings me heaps of joy.

Finally: Bayern Munich keep doing the thing under Hansi Flick. That “thing” is “winning”.

Derby day! Bayern II vs 1860 Munich

This is a BIG game. The Bayern boys get to play the first team of 1860 in Munich, now that both play in the 3.Liga. We will have a gamethread, so come and join the conversation. According to Bayern’s website, MagentaSport is going to show the game live for free, without requiring a registration. Hopefully it works for everyone.

GET HYPED!

Lucien Favre hangs on to his job for now (Kicker)

After Dortmund nearly capitulated to last-placed SC Paderborn at home, coach Lucien Favre seemed to take one more step toward the dismissal. Favre and captain Marco Reus apparently did not leave the stadium until three hours after the final whistle. The team met the next morning for two hours before proceeding to train. The players apparently offered up ample self-criticism at the meeting, and Mats Hummels also defended Favre, claiming that the team’s struggles had “nothing to do with the coach’s position, if we give away the ball without pressure.”

But the BVB bosses are losing patience. Dortmund has its own general assembly today, and the subject will undoubtedly be raised. Michael Zorc said after the game, “The condition we presented ourselves in is horrifying.” Despite the team meeting, he added, “Words are no longer enough. We need performance.”

That is up to Favre and the team. He will fly with them to face Barcelona on Wednesday.

Gladbach fans hit by poo-flinging Berliners (Sport1)

“Fäkalien-Attacke” is your German word of the day.

Ahead of Union Berlin’s upset victory over table-leaders Borussia Mönchengladbach, fans of the foals were sailing on the Spree through Berlin on four boats when they were assailed by persons unknown as they passed under a bridge.

Some fans of Bundesliga leader Borussia Mönchengladbach were attacked by unknown persons on Saturday morning during an outing on the Spree in Berlin by boat. Stones, eggs, and fecal matter were thrown at the ship from a bridge.

There were four ships in all with some 800 Gladbach fans out on the river. Only one was attacked. The police secured the other bridges in their path so no further poo was flung.

Congratulations, Rafinha! Copa Libertadores winner!

Good ol’ Arturo Vidal was among the first to congratulate his former teammate Rafinha on winning the Copa Libertadores with Flamengo in his first season back in his native Brazil. If you didn’t know, it is a rare feat to win both the UEFA Champions League and the Copa Lib. Rafinha joins quite a pantheon of greats.

Happy 10th anniversary, Thomas and Lisa!

Life is good for the Müllers. They have been married ten years, Thomas had an outstanding game against Düsseldorf, and Lisa placed 3rd in a freestyle dressage competition.