Dortmund back in scoring form with 3-2 win at Hanover
ByReuters
Updated 21/03/2015 at 20:39 GMT
Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck twice as last season's runners-up beat Hanover 96 3-2 on Saturday for their first win in three Bundesliga games that kept up their hopes of a European spot next season.
Dortmund's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (front celebrate scoring with teammates during the German first division Bundesliga football match Hannover 96 vs Borussia Dortmund
Image credit: AFP
Dortmund bounced back from their Champions League exit to Juventus this week to move up to 33 points, five behind Augsburg, who are sixth and occupy the last place for Europa League qualification.
Dortmund went ahead with their first goal in four matches when Aubameyang netted in the 19th minute to score his 11th goal of the season.
They dropped their guard a little later, allowing Lars Stindl to level from close range.
Hanover were down to 10 men early in the second half when Leonardo Bittencourt, a former Dortmund player, got his marching orders following a second booking.
Dortmund made the extra man count instantly, with Shinji Kagawa tapping in after good work from Jakub Blaszczykowski and a Marco Reus assist.
The Japanese then chipped a ball into the box and Gabon international Aubameyang connected with a diving header for his second goal before Stindl also got a second to set up a nervous finale.
A smart finish by Karim Bellarabi helped Bayer Leverkusen record their fourth Bundesliga victory in a row on Saturday, a 1-0 win at Schalke 04 lifting them to third in the table.
Germany international Bellarabi scored his 11th league goal of the campaign in the 35th minute when he cut inside and cleverly drilled the ball in from a tight angle.
"I think everyone thought I would cut the ball back into the middle but I just decided to go for it," he told reporters. "We knew if we won today we would be exactly where we would want to be in the table."
Leverkusen, eliminated on penalties from the Champions League round of 16 by Atletico Madrid this week, have 45 points, one ahead of Borussia Moenchengladbach and six in front of Schalke in the race for a Champions League spot.
"It's fantastic to be that focused after Tuesday's game," said coach Roger Schmidt. "The last few weeks have shown that we are resilient."
Schalke, also knocked out of the Champions League in midweek, were more aggressive in the second half following the introduction of Kevin-Prince Boateng who twice went close to an equaliser.
Leverkusen were lucky not to concede a penalty after a blatant Roberto Hilbert handball before Bellarabi missed a good opportunity when he charged through and fired wide with only keeper Timon Wellenreuther to beat in the 83rd minute.
Schalke have won just one of their last six matches to leave Roberto Di Matteo's team stuck in fifth place on 39 points.
Werder Bremen suffered a setback in their European aspirations, conceding an 88th-minute equaliser for a 1-1 draw at Cologne that kept them a point ahead of Dortmund.
Davie Selke had put the visitors ahead before Matthias Lehmann's spot kick two minutes from time levelled the score.
VfB Stuttgart reignited their relegation battle, coming from a goal down to stun Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 for their first victory in 10 games. Despite the result, they remain bottom of the standings but are within two points from safety.
Stuttgart looked to be dropping deeper into trouble after Haris Seferovic's strike in the 51st minute but two goals in three minutes from Daniel Ginczek turned the game around.
Alexandru Maxim made sure of the three points for the 2007 Bundesliga champions late in the game giving coach Huub Stevens some respite.
Leaders Bayern Munich, 11 points clear at the top, host Borussia Moenchengladbach on Sunday, while second-placed VfL Wolfsburg travel to Mainz 05.
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