Mario Gomez Puts Three Past His Former Side.

It’s the last day of round sixteen, and it’s the end of 2010 for the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich travelled to a Bruno Labbadia-led Stuttgart looking for three points, while Freiburg, without Papiss Cisse, travelled to Leverkusen.

VfB Stuttgart 3 – 5 Bayern Munich

Reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich made a mockery of Stuttgart’s defense before Stuttgart pushed themselves back into the game and made the score-line look just a little bit more respectful. Mario Gomez hit a hat-trick against his former side, while Thomas Mueller and Franck Ribery also scored a goal each. The score was 1-5 before the hour mark, and Bayern Munich really took their foot off the gas after that. Martin Harnik hit a brace for the hosts, and Christian Gentner got the third but it was far from enough. Stuttgart will need to regroup over the holidays because they’ve dug themselves into a massive hole at the bottom end of the table. They’re only two points ahead of last place and five away from safety, so things are going to have to change and quick too. Bayern Munich will probably not have wanted the winter break to come so soon, because they’re really beginning to hit top form now.

Bayer Leverkusen 2 – 2 SC Freiburg

Bayer Leverkusen have been made to rue missed opportunities this weekend. With Borussia Dortmund losing on Saturday, it was imperative that they take full advantage of that and secure three points. Unfortunately for Leverkusen, Dortmund still hold a ten-point lead at the top of the table thanks to this result. The hosts took an early lead after Julian Schuster brought Tranquillo Barnetta down in the area for Arturo Vidal to make it 1-0 from the penalty spot. Jan Rosenthal equalized just before the half-hour mark when he controlled a cross on his chest and then smashed it into the back of the net. Stefan Reisinger put the visitors ahead on 65 minutes after a quick one-two with Maximilian Nicu. Leverkusen found their equalizer with Patrick Helmes, whose shot took a deflection but still ended up in the back of the net. I can’t believe this game wasn’t postponed because of the amount of snow that had accumulated on the pitch. It was played in an absolute blizzard, and I can’t see how the referee let it go on. Still, it’s a good result for Freiburg, especially since they were without Papiss Cisse. If he had played, Leverkusen may have lost this one and Bayern Munich would be right back in it!