That was the weekend that was – round 26

Recently, the Bundesliga has been like a famed pair of German Lederhosen - it’s been tight at the top…and even tighter at the bottom. Only three points separated Alemannia Aachen in 9th spot from Eintracht Frankfurt in 16th, and there were only six points between Schalke, still clinging on to the top of the table despite not having won in their last four games, from Bayern Munich in fourth, who seemed to be discovering some form after beating Real Madrid in the CL after beating Wolfsburg and Berlin in the league, and drawing 1-1 with Werder Bremen after spurning a whole host of chances to win (yes Mr ‘Prince’ Poldi, this means you).

So with today’s relegation fodder being tomorrow’s UEFA Cup hopeful, Hertha promptly lost at home to Cottbus on Friday night which immediately eased their worries. Rather sensationally, all the other teams didn’t immediately follow suit. Bochum lost again, HSV and Hannover stuttered to a 0-0, Dortmund, now just two points off the drop and on their third manager this season (van Marwijk walked early, Röber sacked after seven games, now it’s Tomas Döll of the previously hapless HSV at the helm) also drew 0-0 at home to Nürnberg, who are one point off of the UEFA Cup spots (or 11 off of the drop, however you want to look at it), Aachen beat slumping Bielefeld so it was left to Eintracht Frankfurt to score the shock result with a 1-0 win at home to Bayern with this absolute beauty from Christoph Preuß. He’s got form for this (check out last year’s equally good belter if you can find it) but this time it meant a priceless 3 points, whilst condemning Münich to their eighth loss this season and burying their lingering title hopes.

On Sunday Mönchengladbach lost to Andrej Voronin's deflected goal (soon to be seen in the Premiership with Liverpool for the next four years - he'll fit right in, not being able to hit cow's arse with a banjo seemingly the pre-requisite for that role these days), whilst Stuttgart dominated away against Schalke but still came off worst, this short range winner being enough for the men from the ‘Pott.