by Brian Sanders
Bayern drops first points, Gisdol stumbling, Schalke duck broken, and more in the Bundesliga round up.
Bayern Munich was looking to remind FC Koln that they have a long way to go to reach their position in the European football world but a memorable 1-1 draw ensured that the Billy Goats remain in the Champions league places.
Carlo Ancelotti was unable to fully regroup his side after defeat in the Champions League in Madrid and struggled to break through the FC Koln defense. Joshua Kimmich was able to get the breakthrough via a great diving header that will be up for goal of the week in the 40th minute just before the half. Despite being behind FC Koln remained robust and chance presented itself and via a truly great shot by Anthony Modeste the match was equalized. A share of the points is well deserved and going forward other Bundesliga clubs will use the Koln game plan as a blueprint for Bayern.
BVB visited Bayer Leverkusen after both sides had dramatic Champions League draws for the traditional Topspiel match. Dortmund didn’t take advantage of the slip up by Munich as Bayer grabbed an early goal and never gave up for a 2-0 victory.
BVB looked a bit tired from their encounter with Real Madrid midweek and after an early break through by Admir Mehmedi in the 10th minute Dortmund was on the back foot all day. Late in the second half Mexican star Chicharito scored in the 79th minute to seal the match and bring Leverkusen into the European places as clubs enter the international break.
Hertha Berlin shook off the late match action at Frankfurt to give new Hamburg coach Marcus Gisdol a 2-0 loss and an introduction to the difficult task ahead of him.
BSC got on the score sheet fairly early as club captain and St Louis native Vedad Ibesevic scored in the 29th minute. HSV looked to take advantage of their superior shots and possession numbers but a second Ibesevic goal meant that there would be no points in Gisdol’s first match in charge of Hamburg.
Schalke entered match day six after another Europa League victory as they hosted Borussia Monchengladbach. The Foals were slaughtered at the Royal Blues earned their first points of the new season 4-0 in Gelsenkirchen.
The first half was nice and sprightly but the second half took the cake. A three goal flurry in six minutes put the match away for Schalke’s first win in the campaign. The Foals limp into the international break having last their last and still without a win on the road.
Other Bundesliga highlights
Eintracht Frankfurt fell to SC Freiburg 1-0. Freiburg has now three wins from three home matches.
RB Leipzig defeated FC Augsburg 2-1 to establish themselves in a European qualification position prior to the international break.
A late goal for FC Ingolstadt did little as Hoffenheim won 2-1 and consigned the Bavarian’s to yet another defeat.
Darmstadt scored a late equalizer to get their share in the points as the Lilies and Werder Bremen played out an entertaining 2-2 draw. After the match care taker Alexander Nouri was given a contract to take over Bremen for the remainder of the season.
Lastly Mainz, after their win in the Europa League had a clean sheet, a 0-0 draw with Wolfsburg.
Player of the week:
Breel Embolo with his brace after a poor start to the season was key in Schalke earning their first win of the season and going forward perhaps after the players return from international duty Schalke will be performing up to their expected standard.
German Football Phrase of the Week:
Schlenzer: a long range shot, and when it goes in the announcers love yelling ‘Tor’
