After last week’s crazy action with long-range screamers and a total of 33 goals, Match Day 29 proved to be slightly different. We still had the odd long range strike, but only 20 goals were scored on the weekend. So, that must mean better defensive work or poorer shooting? Find out below who made the cut in the derby galore Match Day 29.

GOALKEEPERS
Sven Ulreich (Stuttgart): Just when Stuttgart needed a player to step up, Ulreich was there to impress. It’s been a rather poor season for the 25-year-old German, who has been part of the sinking ship that has been heavily flirting with the relegation zone. Two big saves were made to deny Mehmedi, and later Ulreich prevented Ginter’s double attempt to keep a well-earned clean sheet.

DEFENDERS
Sebastian Jung (Frankfurt): Jung had a fine game as he constantly made himself available down the right flank, from which 40% of Frankfurt’s attacks came. He was involved in both goals as he received a cleared ball out wide, to put in a delightfully weighted cross for Joselu to score the opener. The second came about after he played a solid through ball down the right flank to play in Aigner, who set up Meier in the centre to make it 2-0. On top of his contribution to Frankfurt’s attacks he also made the most tackles of anyone else on the pitch to round off a big win against highflying Mainz.

Alexander Madlung (Frankfurt): Another Frankfurt player who impressed on the weekend was Madlung. He denied Choup-Moting at every chance including a fantastic goal line clearance in the second half. A towering header by Choupo-Moting went past Trapp and looked destined for the net, only for Madlung to somehow get his leg up to it and save the ball off the line. It proved a massive defensive action as not long later Frankfurt scored down the other end. 8 clearances and 3 interceptions capped off a wonderful day for Madlung and Frankfurt.

Marcel Correia (Braunschweig): A traditional defensive performance from the 24-year-old centre back. Correia put in a great shift denying Hannover any real threat as he made 14 defensive clearances, almost three times more than any other Braunschweig player. While Hannover were generally dreadful, they still ventured forward and Correia and his fellow defenders did a wonderful job to keep the relegation battle alive.

Heiko Westermann (Hamburg): Heiko proved to be the difference in this match by scoring the winning goal. With only eight minutes to go of regulation time, it was Westermann, of all people, to pop up inside the box to hammer home a well-struck volley. He did a fine job at the back but it will be his winning goal that he will be remembered for in this game.

MIDFIELDERS
Marco Reus (Dortmund): Another vintage performance from Reus as Dortmund had a fairly average day at the office. Despite really struggling in the first-half, Dortmund were able to ‘click’ in the second-half thanks to Reus. A well-delivered corner by the German international set up Lewandowski for the first goal. 13 minutes from full time Reus made his mark again by pouncing on a mix up between Knoche and Grün. A quick touch to put it out of Grün’s grasp and Reus scored the winning goal to make it 2-1. Lucky Dortmund.

Ibrahima Traoré (Stuttgart): With an expiring contract in the summer Traoré looks to be doing everything to impress potential suitors. The speedy wide man had a huge part in Stuttgart’s first goal. A one-two with Gentner split the Freiburg defence, only for Traoré to square it to Maxim to complete a fantastically worked team goal. Throughout the game he took on players 5 times and his indirect costless kick found Rüdiger, whose attempt came off the post.

Daniel Baier (Augsburg): Baier and his defensive midfield partner Kohr made a combined 7 tackles and 4 interceptions as they helped to nullify a strong Bayern midfield. So far this season Baier alone has made over 100 tackles and 100 interceptions in his 29 Bundesliga games. An outstanding record, but he showed that he was capable of more than being a defensive rock in midfield by setting up Augsburg’s goal. A strong run from deep pulled Bayern players towards him, where he found the open Mölders with a through ball who smashed it past Neuer. A wonderful day for Augsburg and the underrated Baier.

Hakan Calhanoglu (Hamburg): Not much needs to be said about Calhanoglu that hasn’t already been said. He’s basically doing the job Van der Vaart should be doing, by taking games by the scruff of the neck to help the side avoid relegation. It was another game where he had a huge number of shots as he used his long-range shooting prowess to constantly test Leverkusen’s Leno. It only took him four minutes to influence this game with a long shot that was smashed low and hard to open the proceedings. This kid has a bright future ahead of him.

STRIKERS
Max Kruse (Gladbach): Just like last week Kruse put in another fantastic creative display. He continues to prove that he can be a nuisance for any defence in the league as he pulled players out of position and made a game-high 5 key passes. He also had the most shots of any other player on the pitch, with 6 shots, 2 of those finding their target and one off the post. As a result he was awarded for his efforts as he put away the penalty that he won, albeit theatrically, to make it 2-0.

Joselu (Frankfurt): What a goal scoring run this guy has found himself in. He has scored 5 goals in the last 5 games, taking his tally for the season to 8. After a direct costless kick came off the cross bar in the 52nd minute, the ball eventually found its way back into the box for Joselu to score the opener. Judging by the number of shots he has been taking in recent weeks, there is no reason why he can’t add more to his tally before seasons end.