Nuremberg 3 Rostock 0

The loss is a huge blow for Rostock in their attempt to play Bundesliga soccer in the upcoming season. Maik Wagefeld was the hero, striking twice in the second half and the league’s leading goalscorer, Marek Mintal found the net for the 22nd time. The home side Nuremberg, produced only their third home victory this season but it helped create some breathing space as Wolfgang Wolf’s club now rests five points ahead of the relegation zone. For Rostock, the air is getting thin down at the bottom.

Bielefeld 0 Kaiserslautern 2

In the second Sunday match, Kaiserslautern gave their new coach Hans-Werner Moser a present beating Bielefeld 2-0. The scores both came in the first half. Karsten Jancker was the beneficiary of a Rostock mistake by Petr Gabriel and put his club up in the sixth minute. Halil Altintop doubled the advantage in the 24th and Kaiserslautern never looked back.

Played on Saturday:

Bayern Munich 2 Mönchengladbach 1

Dick Advocaat's side made Bayern Munich struggle all the way. It was 0-0 at half time and when Ivo Ulich put Mönchengladbach ahead in the second half after a mistake by Ollie Kahn Bayern looked to be facing an uphill battle. Felix Magaths side looked tired after their Champions League tie and the rain-soaked pitch did not help matters.

But then Mönchengladbach's Australian defender Craig Moore was sent off for a second bookable offence and Bayern forced the equaliser through Mehmet Scholl. Mönchengladbach looked doomed and it was captain Michael Ballack who headed Bayern's winner past Casey Keller six minutes before time.

Stuttgart 3 Schalke 0

Schalke's championship aspirations took a severe dent in Stuttgart, who themselves have not quite given up the chase. Kevin Kuranyi put Stuttgart ahead, this his first goal after 569 minutes. Schalke's only chance was in the first half when Ailton's effort was cleared off the line by Alexander Hleb.

Two more goals by Kuranyi gave Stuttgart an impressive victory. Schalke's Brazilian Lincoln was sent off for a second bookable offence to round off a miserable afternoon for Schalke and their coach Ralf Rangnick.

Hamburg 1 Bremen 2

Miroslav Klose put Bremen ahead in this north German derby. Iranian Mehdi Mahdavikia equalised But Ivan Klasnic snatched the winner for Bremen in the 70. Minute

Mainz 0 Wolfsburg 2

Thomas Brdaric and Stefan Schnoor gave Wolfsburg their first away victory since September

Bochum 1 Hanover 0

Hanover's American defender Steven Cherundolo scored an own goal in the second half to give Bochum the valuable three points in their battle against relegation

Leverkusen 0 Dortmund 1

Sebastian Kehl scored to give Dortmund their first victory in Leverkusen in 14 years. It was a disappointing game and the defeat means Leverkusen have now gone 6 successive games without a victory.

Hertha 3 Freiburg 1

Brazilian star Marcelinho scored a sensational goal from the halfway line to put Hertha 1-0 up. Arne Friederich who last week was involved in a much publicised tussle with Marcelinho was the first player to congratulate the Brazilan who then made it 2-0 with a penalty. But Freiburg pulled one back through Samuel Koejoe and Hertha began to panic and were relieved when Robert Kovac put the issue beyond doubt in the 90 minute.

STANDINGS

1 Bayern 59

2 Schalke 56

3 Stuttgart 54

16 Bochum 26

17 Rostock 23

18 Freiburg 17