A Valentine’s matchday to remember in the Bundesliga! Despite only three games including goals from both sides, we still witnessed a total of 31 goals. There are plenty of talking to discuss, as well as individual milestones that are worth shouting about. Here is everything you need to know from matchday 22 in the Bundesliga.
Kane’t Stop Scoring!
Harry Kane scored his 25th and 26th Bundesliga goals of the season as Bayern Munich breezed past Werder Bremen 0-3 on Saturday afternoon. The brace (one from the spot and one brilliant effort from distance) means that Kane is now matching Robert Lewandowski’s score rate in the season that he beat the Bundesliga scoring record in one season (26 goals from 22 matchdays).
What’s more, the brace was Kane’s 499th and 500th career goals. A truly remarkable milestone as the England captain eyes up more silverware with the Bavarians this season.
Leon Goretzka scored the only goal of the second half as the midfielder capped off an almost perfect away day. I say almost, as Bayern’s veteran goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, was forced off due to injury just before half-time.
Despite early indications that the injury wasn’t too bad, the club has since confirmed that Neuer has torn a muscle fibre in his leg and will be missing for the foreseeable future. Youngster Jonas Urbig will now take the number one spot with crucial games against Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund on the horizon.
Dortmund Keep Pace
Borussia Dortmund ensured that will would be only six points behind Bayern Munich this matchday, having dispatched of Mainz 05, 0-4 on Friday evening.
Ahead of the game, many would have anticipated a much closer contest considering Mainz’s recent surge up the table under the stewardship of Urs Fischer.
However, Dortmund, and in particular, Julian Ryerson and Serhou Guirassy, had other plans.
Guirassy scored a brace in the first half as BVB stormed into a 3-0 lead before the break. Ramy Bensebaini scored late on to cap off a dominant display, but beyond the brace of goals from Dortmund’s forward, the day truly belonged to full-back Julian Ryerson. The Norwegian international registered four assists as he set up every single goal of the evening, a truly outstanding performance. The defenders’ set pieces were to thank as Dortmund look like they’re at least going to make Bayern work for their title.
“It’s important to prove a striker with adequate support,” head coach Niko Kovac remarked at the post-match press conference after the convincing Bundesliga victory over Mainz. “Fabio Silva was doing really well. His [Guirassy’s] reaction has been sensational. The team helps him, and he helps the team. We need his goals. When he scores, we increase our chances of winning games.“
Volksparkstadion Fortress
Hamburger SV are turning their home stadium into a fortress as the newly promoted side seeks to stay in the Bundesliga.
HSV are unbeaten at home in 2026, having drawn against Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and beaten the likes of FC Heidenheim and now Union Berlin.
The game also saw a brace of goals from striker Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer.
“Obviously one can’t forget that there’s a big difference between the first and second divisions,” head coach Merlin Polzin began when asked about Königsdörffer. “And I’ve repeatedly emphasized that Ransi, with his runs, interpretation of space, and coverage drawing, has always been important for us. The coaching team considers him valuable regardless of whether he scores goals or not.
HSV survived a late score to hang on to all three points, but it was very much deserved as they saw off former head coach Steffen Baumgart and his Union side. In fact, it’s the first time HSV has beaten Union Berlin in a league competition in their history! Granted, they haven’t played a lot in both their histories, but it’s still a torrid record that has finally been broken.
So strong has HSV’s home record been, they are now up to 9th in the table. It’s quite the remarkable run of form, which could see them secure safety perhaps earlier than many expected.
This is all the more impressive when you recognise that HSV have won just once on the road this season. 19 of their 25 points this campaign have all come at the Volksparkstadion. Who needs away days!
Around The Grounds
Elsewhere, VfB Stuttgart scored two late goals to beat FC Köln 3-1 on Saturday evening. Ermendin Demirovic scored a brace of goals (almost a theme this weekend) whilst Deniz Undav scored the third and his 48th Bundesliga goals on his 100th Bundesliga appearance.
Bayer Leverkusen moved up to 6th place with a convincing 4-0 win over struggling St. Pauli. Poku with the pick of the bunch as B04 continue to push for a top four finish. Pauli are now looking more and more likely like true relegation candidates.
Albert Riera got his first win as Eintracht Frankfurt head coach on his home debut against Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-0). The Eagles move up to 7th position, just outside of the European places.
Elsewhere, TSG Hoffenheim breezed past SC Freiburg (3-0), whilst there was also a win for FC Augsburg (1-0 vs FC Heidenheim) and a draw between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg (2-2).
GGFN | Jamie Allen
