Talking points from the Bundesliga weekend:
TIGHT RACE
The race for the Bundesliga title remains the tightest in years after all three top teams dropped points over the weekend.
Leaders Bayern Munich, on 43 points, and RB Leipzig (42) played out a goalless draw while third-placed Borussia Dortmund (39) slumped to a 4-3 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.
"The Bundesliga is very tight this season and I know everyone in Germany wants to see that," Bayern coach Hansi Flick said.
"There are several teams that have the quality to become champions. We want to hold on to our position until the end. We know it will be tough."
KLINSMANN CRISIS
Hertha Berlin have failed to pull away from the relegation battle despite spending more than 70 million euros (£59.4 million) on transfers during the winter break, more than any other German club.
Coach Juergen Klinsmann, who has promised to turn the team into a powerhouse in a few seasons, has seen them win just one of their last five league games.
They are 14th, six points above the relegation playoff spot after slumping to a 3-1 home loss to Mainz 05.
FRANKFURT RUN
Eintracht Frankfurt's 5-0 demolition of Augsburg saw them collect a third league win in four games, and 10 points from a possible 12, to give them their best start to the second half of a season in 50 years.
"We are in the right direction, 100%," said coach Adi Huetter, after the team had a lacklustre first half to the campaign.
"The attitude is right and the winning mentality is back. We are hungry and it is something we addressed during the winter training camp."
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
