Eintracht Frankfurt suffered a 1:3 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, marking their fourth straight competitive loss and deepening their crisis. RB Leipzig unexpectedly lost 1:2 to relegation-threatened Mainz 05, while Werder Bremen salvaged a late 1:1 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Saturday's Bundesliga matches delivered clear surprises. Eintracht Frankfurt lost 1:3 to Bayer Leverkusen ahead of new coach Albert Riera's arrival. The Hessians, winless since December 13, conceded goals from Arthur (26'), Malik Tillman (33'), and Aleix Garcia (90.+3). Robin Koch pulled one back (50'), but Ellyes Skhiri received a yellow-red card (70'). With 27 points, Frankfurt languishes in mid-table and is losing sight of European spots. Riera takes over from Dino Toppmöller on Monday, after interim coach Dennis Schmitt lost the previous game.
RB Leipzig suffered a setback as Mainz 05 turned the game 2:1. Conrad Harder scored for Leipzig (40'), but Nadiem Amiri equalized from a controversial penalty (45.+6), and Silas sealed the win (49'). Mainz coach Urs Fischer is concerned about injured Benedict Hollerbach, who hurt his right shin in the 11th minute. "I had a talk with him. He's actually taking it calmly," Fischer said. "I can't say exactly what it is. Our doctors will clarify tomorrow." Leipzig remains fourth with 36 points, but VfB Stuttgart (36) and Bayer Leverkusen (35) are close behind.
TSG Hoffenheim defeated Union Berlin 3:1 and is now level on points with Borussia Dortmund (42). Andrej Kramaric scored twice (42' pen, 45'), and Diogo Leite's own goal (47') helped; Rani Khedira pulled one back (71'). Hoffenheim celebrates its fifth win since the start of the year.
In the relegation battle, Werder Bremen drew 1:1 with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Haris Tabakovic put Gladbach ahead (62'), but Keke Topp equalized in stoppage time (90.+4). Bremen is winless in ten games. Coach Horst Steffen faces pressure: Sports director Clemens Fritz said, "We haven't won ten games. It's clear we have to sit down and discuss it." FC St. Pauli lost 1:2 at FC Augsburg, with Danel Sinani's penalty (32') and Michael Gregoritsch's brace (41', 59'), remaining in the relegation zone.
