Is Hertha a club worthy of its city? So what now for Schalke? Which promoted side stays up? After round four we have some of these answers.
Hertha has always been a club whose been not big enough for a city like Berlin. Playing in the massive Olympiastadion has been a hinderance as few matches fill it. Fact is Pal Dardai has found a set up to get the most out of his resources and a 4-2 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach.
The performance for BSC lies in more than one player. St Louis native Vedad Ibisevic bagged a brace, but perhaps the best show was Ondrej Duda as his goal put the match out of reach but has been a constant performer since start of the season. Young Dutch winger Javairo Dilrosun assisted in two of the goals and young midfielder Arne Maier are signs that Hertha has a lot of talent on hand that will mature if given the right direction.
Bayern usually finds a trip to Schalke to be difficult, but this time around with Niko Kovac as coach, the 2-0 scoreline was justified and well earned for the champions. For the Gelsinkirchen club, this is now zero points from four matches leaving them bottom of the table.
An early goal scored by James Rodriguez gave a feeling of security which allowed the Bavarians to play with certain freedom. Out of defense was Sule and Hummels in central defense with Alaba and Kimmich on the sides which kept up against the weak attack of the hosts. Sebastian Rudy, recently signed from Bayern, was a poor performer and Weston McKinnie wasnt able to put in much of a performance against the champions.
Elsewhere in the Bundesliga
Eintracht and Leipzig, both coming off matches in the Europa League, played to a 1-1 draw. Each is left in midtable wondering how things would be if they had secured the three points.
Borussia Dortmund came from behind against Hoffenheim 1-1 to earn share of the spoils. American Christian Pulisic got the equalizer for BVB.
Werder Bremen has been heralded as a side capable for a top end finish. A 3-2 victory away to Augsburg will secure the club a position in the race for the riches of Europe.
Freiburg earned a convincing 3-1 away victory over Wolfsburg. With six goals in their last two matches, it would seem the Black Forest club will fight to the end to not finish in the relegation zone.
Nurnberg defeated a 10 man Hannover, 2-0, in a well-deserved victory. Five points from four shows that the club is capable of staying up and so long as their defense holds a mid-table finish could be accomplished.
Bayer Leverkusen ended their bad start to the Bundesliga season with a 1-0 victory over Mainz. Question is whether this is the start to something or if this is merely a bandage over a greater wound.
Fortuna Dusseldorf earned a solid draw 0-0 at Stuttgart. Dusseldorf is one club seen as a relegation candidate, but so far they have been a resilient side in defense.
Player of the Week: Vedad Ibisevic bagging a pair of goals nabs this week’s award. Playing up top with some young talent in behind this side will succeed as long as its 34 year old captain continues
