Bayern Munich travels to Stuttgart after 2 winless matches
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - Two matches into the second half of the season, Bayern Munich is without a win since the Bundesliga resumed last week. The longest winless spell under coach Pep Guardiola was last season, when Bayern went three matches without a victory after already securing the title.
Bayern's lead now has been cut but it's still a safe eight points because Wolfsburg has failed to capitalize on its 4-1 win over Bayern. As 10-men Bayern draw 1-1 with Schalke in the following round, Wolfsburg was held by the same score in Frankfurt.
Bayern next travels to relegation-threatened Stuttgart. Wolfsburg host Hoffenheim, which has lost its last two.
Here are some things to know ahead of the Bundesliga weekend:
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GUARDIOLA AND THE REFS, PART II
Guardiola's animated style of coaching is attracting attention again, but no sanction. Guardiola keeps leaving the coaching zone and he ran to the corner line to question the linesman during the match against Schalke. The linesman had ruled that the ball had gone out before a Bayern player kicked it back in and it bounced off a Schalke defender into the net. The ball still belonged to Bayern, however, and Arjen Robben scored from the ensuing corner.
Guardiola ran back and embraced the fourth official in his celebration. Referee Bastian Danckert later said he had not filed a complaint against Guardiola because the Bayern coach "was not unsportsmanlike and did not insult my linesman." The league said there was "no aggression in play."
Last October, Guardiola put his hand on a female fourth official, who brushed him off. The league took no action although physical contact with officials is not allowed.
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AUGSBURG RISING
Augsburg's dream season keeps getting better. After winning 1-0 in Dortmund, Augsburg is fourth, equal on points with third-place Borussia Moenchengladbach and with a shot at a place in the Champions League next season. Augsburg has 11 victories, same as Wolfsburg and three fewer than Bayern.
Augsburg played the last half hour one man short after the red card for Christoph Janker, but held on to protect the victory.
"We had more courage in the second half and protected the victory with passion," Augsburg's 40-year-old coach Markus Weinzierl said.
Next for up for Augsburg is Eintracht Frankfurt.
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DORTMUND'S PLIGHT
Dortmund's troubled season reached a new low when it failed to score against 10-man Augsburg to suffer its 11th defeat. The fans had been behind the side that won two titles and twice finished runner-up in the last four seasons but the latest setback triggered an outburst of boos. The team has not scored in its last two matches.
The job of coach Juergen Klopp still appears safe. "I don't think (changing the coach) would be the right step for us," captain Mats Hummels said. "This is not a subject of discussion in the team."
Dortmund next travels to plucky Freiburg desperately needing a win.
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SCHUERRLE RETURNS
Wolfsburg's latest big-name signing Andre Schuerrle is set to make his Bundesliga comeback against Hoffenheim.
Schuerrle says he had offers from other countries but "really wanted to return to Germany."
Wolfsburg approached him early and Schuerrle said he picked the team because of its "bright future prospects."
Wolfsburg has not ruled out more big transfers if it qualifies for the Champions League.