Dortmund was ahead in Cologne at the break with a goal by Julian Brandt (31st), but then the ÖFB legionnaires in particular turned up the heat in the second half. Kainz completed the equalizer (53′), then put the 2-1 through Stefan Tigges with a corner kick (56′), before compatriot Ljubicic increased it to 3-1 with a flick (71′). An own goal by Benno Schmitz (78th) made things exciting again in the finish.
In Frankfurt, Union Berlin was already 0: 2 behind at the break. Mario Götze (12th) and Jesper Lindström (42nd) scored for the team coached by Oliver Glasner, whose team was outnumbered for around 20 minutes. Union remains at the top, tied for second is Freiburg. Gregoritsch scored early for the SC with a solid shot (3rd). Ex-Salzburg and ex-Austria coach Thomas Letsch made his debut for VfL Bochum with a clear 4-0 loss at RB Leipzig. VfL Wolfsburg beat VB Stuttgart 3-2 in the last minute.
German Bundesliga, eighth round
Saturday:
Cologne – Dortmund 3: 2 (0: 1)
Goals: Kainz (53′), Tigges (56′), Ljubicic (71′) and Brandt (31′), Schmitz (78’/own goal)
Cologne: with Ljubicic, Kainz up to 70.
Frankfurt – Union Berlin 2:0 (2:0)
Goals: Götze (12′), Lindstrom (42′)
Gelb-Rote Karte: Kolo Muani (69./Frankfurt)
Frankfurt: Trainer Glasner
Union: with trimmel
Freiburg – Mainz 2: 1 (2: 0)
Goals: Gregoritsch (3rd), Kyereh (37th) and Martin (52nd)
Freiburg: with Lienhart, Gregoritsch (until 84th)
Mainz: with Onisiwo, without Mustapha
Leipzig – Bochum 4: 0 (2: 0)
Tore: Werner (15th, 53rd), Nkunku (23rd/Elfmeter, 85th)
Leipzig: Schlager up to 73rd, without Laimer (injured)
Bochum: Stöger from 46.
Wolfsburg – Stuttgart 3:2 (2:2)
Tore: Marmoush (23.), Arnold (38.), Gerhardt (91.) bzw. Guirassy (22.), Mavropanos (45.+1)
Wolfsburg: Wimmer up to 85th, Pervan replacement
Bremen – Mönchengladbach 6.30 p.m
Sunday:
Hertha BSC – Hoffenheim 3.30 p.m
Schalke – Augsburg 5.30 p.m
Freitag:
Bayern Munich – Leverkusen 4: 0 (3: 0)
Tore: Sane (3rd), Musiala (17th), Mane (39th), Müller (84th)
Bayern: Sabitzer up to 66 minutes