After a summer of very little soccer news for Germany(cough), the ‘meaning of life’ returns and did so with class.
Matches of the Week
We start with the opening match, reigning champions Bayern Munich under new manager Niko Kovac vs Hoffenheim. The Bavarians always focus on the biggest of prizes, not just winning the league, but a good start is always demanded by the Munich faithful. Bayern did not let them down.
With the benefit of VAR, Bayern dispatched an injury-ravaged Hoffenheim, 3-1, but at a cost as Kinsley Coman was taken off injured. Points in the bag for Bayern but at what cost?
Borussia Dortmund had been one of the busiest teams in the Bundesliga this summer. Against RB Leipzig, they had staunch opposition to face up to, but Lucian Favre’s side took their fury out on the visitors. Almost like they downed a case of Red Bull.
Leipzig drew first blood with Jean-Kevin Augustan putting them ahead. Seems like they waved the red flag in front of the bull. The ball that Mahmoud Dahoud launched for the equalizer will be up for goal of the year. Not holding back, an own goal and new signing Axel Witsel added goals in the first half with Marco Reus at the end of the second. Keep this pace up and there’s a title race on hand.
Schalke, coming off a second place finish in the Bundesliga last season, are back into the fold this season as a top team with expectations. Guess Wolfsburg didnt get the memo as they defeated 04, 2-1.
Going up via American John Anthony Brooks was the bright spot of a dirty first half full of cautions. The tempers and passions grew hotter and the card went straight to red for Natija Nastasic. Being down to 10 men didn’t hold back Schalke as Nabil Bentaleb found an equalizer. Even with the efforts put forward, new Wolves signing Daniel Ginczek scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to give the hosts the three points.
Bayer Leverkusen has been called a dark horse for the Bundesliga title, but you need to defeat your local rivals. A lesson that Borussia Monchengladbach knows well.
The Foals waited a little into the second half and with Jonas Hofmann’s goal, there was no looking back. Gladbach Manager Dieter Hecking has been labeled as a possible mid-season possible dismissal. Sure only one match, but this 2-0 win at home for Gladbach bodes well for a team that could be a challenger for Europe.
The Rest of the Bundesliga
Eintracht Frankfurt lived up to their name as the Diva with a 2-0 victory over Freiburg. This after being bounced from the DFB Pokal a week earlier should calm down the naysayers.
Fortuna Dusseldorf started their campaign well scoring first, but the experience and resolve of FC Augsburg showed that the Flingeraners will have a long season after this 2-1 defeat.
St Louis raised Vedad Ibisevic was the hero for Hertha against Nurnberg. Der Club will have a long season before them in the Bundesliga.
Hannover benefited from an early goal to steal a point at Werder Bremen. This northern clash showed that there is much to expect from each side this season.
Mainz has been tipped for relegation, but a 1-0 victory over Stuttgart, a team to challenge for Europe, will make their survival odds better as the matches go by and they need the points where they can find them.
Prost Amerika Player of the Week
Sebastian Haller for Eintracht Frankfurt scored a goal and won himself many duels. Despite the changing nature surrounding Eintracht this player stood out one above the rest.
