MUNICH -- Coach Julian Nagelsmann sent instructions again remotely after testing positive to the coronavirus. Bayern Munich beat Hoffenheim 4-1 in the Bundesliga, while Borussia Dortmund had to do without Erling Haaland because Erling was injured and could not be replaced by Borussia Dortmund. Borussia Dortmund defeated Arminia Bielefeld 3-1.
Serge Gnabry, Robert Lewandowski and Robert Lewandowski were the scorers. Bayern was one point ahead of Dortmund at the top in what would have been an easy win but for Nagelsmann's departure.
Since Wednesday's Champions League match at Benfica, where Bayern won 4-0, the coach has been working remotely for Bayern. Assistant Dino Toppmoller assists on the touchline. Nagelsmann is closely involved in the strategy.
Bayern began with intent against Hoffenheim. Lewandowski shot wide in the second half when one-on-1 with the goalkeeper. Gnabry then had a goal disallowed due to a Jamal Musiala foul.
Gnabry scored the first goal for Bayern. He took advantage of Hoffenheim’s narrow defensive formation to overlap on Hoffenheim's right side of penalty area in 16th. Lewandowski added the second goal on the half-hour in a counterattack. Late on, Eric Maxim Choupoo-Moting scored and Kingsley Coman added the second.
NO HAALAND, NO PROBLEM
Haaland's hip injury could make it difficult for Dortmund to overthrow Bayern for several weeks. Haaland's teammates were unaffected by the injury and displayed their talents in a 3-1 victory over Bielefeld.
After a poor tackle, Emre Can scored Dortmund's first goal from the penalty spot. Then Mats Hummels, center back, made a statement by scoring a volley from just outside the area to make it 2:2. Jude Bellingham, England's midfielder, had his moment in the spotlight after beating three Bielefeld players to score a fine solo goal.
LEIPZIG HITS 4
Leipzig relieved some pressure from Jesse Marsch, its American coach with a 4-1 victory over Greuther Furth. It wasn't as easy as it might seem.
Furth led at halftime due to Branimir Horgota scoring from a penalty for Leipzig's Nordi Mukile jumping onto an opponent during an aerial duel. Yusuf Poulsen scored Leipzig's first goal immediately after the break. This was before Hugo Novoa, Dominik Zoboszlai, Emil Forsberg and Dominik Szoboszlai, as well as Hugo Novoa (a Spanish forward aged 18 who became Leipzig’s youngest Bundesliga scorer).
Leipzig was pleased to receive the win. After a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Marsch's team began the group stage with three losses.
FREIBURG STILL UNBEATEN
After a surprising win over Wolfsburg, Freiburg remains in surprise third place.
Wolfsburg, which began the season brightly under Mark van Bommel's new coach, is currently on an eight-game winless streak in all competitions.
Hertha Berlin beat Borussia Monchengladbach 1-0 thanks to Marco Richter's acrobatic volley just before the break.
