Dortmund rule Bundesliga as Munich, Schalke, Gladbach held

By John Bagratuni Feb 4, 2012, 19:35 GMT

Berlin - Champions Borussia Dortmund have a two-point Bundesliga lead as their three rivals Bayern Munich, Schalke and Moenchengladbach had to settle for draws on Saturday.

Former Hamburg player Ivica Olic came to Munich's rescue in a 1-1 at SV Hamburg, Schalke also had to come from behind for a 1-1 at home against Mainz, while Moenchengladbach's game in Wolfsburg saw no goals.

Dortmund were the only top team to win, 2-0 at Nuremberg on Friday, and command the standings with 43 points in an unbeaten run of 14 games. Munich and Schalke have 41, Moenchengladbach 40.

Hamburg are enjoying a difficult season on the wrong side of the standings but took a 23rd-minute lead from a classy volley by Italian youngster Jacopo Sala.

Munich dominated possession but as in previous matches failed to create serious danger. Hamburg goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny made several saves before the substitute Olic tapped the equalizer in the 71st in a goalmouth scramble.

Son Heung Min could have won it for Hamburg, but aimed wide from a tight right angle after getting past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

'A draw is not enough for us. We gave away another easy goal. A few things are still missing,' said Munich winger Arjen Robben. 'But I am not concerned, it is still a long road.'

Schalke were caught out cold in the 15th minute when Mohamed Zidan, the Egyptian who returned to Mainz from Dortmund this week, volleyed home Radoslav Zabarnik's long cross at far right post.

The hosts woke up in the second half and levelled when Chinedu Obasi beat a defender and goalkeeper Christian Wetklo from a tight angle. Schalke then fought in vain for a sixth straight victory.

'We played better in the second half and wanted the three points, but these things happen,' Obasi told Sky television.

Moenchengladbach lost their last six games in Wolfsburg and failed to convince again although they had a goal from Mike Hanke harshly ruled offside. Felipe headed just over the bar for Wolfsburg.

'It is disappointing, we wanted to win,' Hanke told Sky. 'There are 14 games left. Everything is possible and we want to stay in the top region as long as possible.'

Fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen had to swallow a last-minute 2-2 equalizer from visiting VfB Stuttgart after Michal Kadlec was sent off in the 63rd.

Stefan Kiessling's 11th minute tap-in was cancelled out by Julian Schieber's free-kick, and substitute Martin Harnik tapped home in the 90th after captain Simon Rolfes had restored Leverkusen's lead with a 47th-minute penalty. Stuttgart had Cristian Molinaro sent off in stoppage time.

Stuttgart got their first point of the year while Hertha Berlin have lost all three 2012 games after crashing 1-0 at home against Hanover from Mohammed Abdellaoue's long-range shot and had Sebastian Neumann sent off in his first top flight game.

Hoffenheim were held 2-2 by struggling Augsburg, with Peniel Mlapa and Sejad Salihovic on target for the hosts, Sascha Mölders and Sebastian Langkamp for Augsburg.

Hoffenheim are eighth, but with 24 points just six clear of the danger zone as 11 of the 18 teams are in trouble. The gap could be halved to three points if Kaiserslautern beat Cologne on Sunday.