This week, as we take stock of the Bundesliga during the March international break, the word most applicable to what's going on is "Aufholjagd" ("race to catch up"). For those who follow a football league purely for a title contest,

The Bundesliga returns dented by the international break as Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen assess the toll on their players.

Leverkusen's Nordi Mukiele, left, and Bochum's Philipp Hofmann jump for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Bochum at the BayArena