Lewis Holtby Strikes Twice As Mainz Stay Top.

Bayern Munich travelled to Hoffenheim earlier tonight with the pressure of having failed to score a goal in their last three domestic fixtures, Hannover hosted Werder Bremen with their eyes on three points, and first-placed Mainz would have been boosted by their league position while hosting FC Koln.

TSG Hoffenheim 1 – 2 Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal pushed his side to a much needed win away to Hoffenheim earlier tonight after going 1-0 down to Die Hoffe in the first minute of the match thanks to Vedad Ibisevic. Thomas Mueller pulled one back for Bayern just past the hour mark, and Daniel van Buyten put Bayern Munich 1-2 up at the death. This win will definitely ease some of the tension at the club, and take some of the pressure off of van Gaal. Bayern Munich will need to keep their performances up if they have any hope of repeating the success they had last season. Bayern Munich host league leaders Mainz on saturday, while Hoffenheim travel to Koln.

Hannover 4 – 1 Werder Bremen

This has got to be the shock result of the week. I expected Hannover to score goals, but I didn’t expect them to totally blow Werder Bremen away. Clemens Fritz knocked the ball into the back of his own net after just 12 minutes, but Werder Bremen fought their way back into the match after Torsten Frings netted a penalty just after the half-hour mark. With the sides level at the break, I don’t think anyone saw what was coming next. Hannover took the lead on 53 minutes through Didier Konan, and then two late goals from Christian Schulz and Mohamed Abdellaoue condemned Bremen to defeat. Certainly not the result Thomas Schaaf was looking for here. Werder Bremen’s defensive woes continue in the absence of Per Mertesacker and Naldo. Werder Bremen host Hamburg on the weekend which will be anything but easy, and Hannover travel to Kaiserslautern in what will be a tight match.

Mainz 2 – 0 FC Koln

Mainz continued their flying form with another three points, and this time over Koln. Mainz dominated proceedings but could not manage to score until fifteen minutes from time through on-loan star Lewis Holtby. Holtby found the back of the net just before the final whistle, and secured the three points for Mainz. Holtby’s parent club, Schalke, will regret loaning him out this season after their disastrous start and his impressive performances. On the weekend, Mainz must travel to Bayern Munich, and a win would certainly confirm them as genuine title contenders. I can’t believe I just wrote that. Koln will host Hoffenheim on Friday.