Bayern Munich opened up the Bundesliga matchday with a 3-0 win in opposition to Werder Bremen. At this time, Bayer Leverkusen drew 0-0 with Wolfsburg to place a giant dent within the title retention hopes, in Niko Kovac’s first sport in control of Borussia Dortmund noticed them lose 2-1 Stuttgart, Freiburg beat Heidenheim 1-0, Hoffenheim sunk in direction of the relegation zone as they misplaced 4-0 to Union Berlin and Mainz drew 0-0 with Augsburg.
Here’s what we learnt:
Bayer Leverkusen take an enormous dent of their title hopes:
After going 120 minutes in opposition to 1.FC Köln on Wednesday, in the present day’s sport in opposition to Wolfsburg appeared like an excellent greater problem than earlier than the midweek sport.
Head coach Xabi Alonso made a number of modifications, and it might have partially backfired, as Leverkusen struggled to have clear possibilities in entrance of objective. Benching Florian Wirtz is smart if there’s a participant who can change his output, which is partially what Emiliano Buendia was signed for. In the sort of sport, he ought to have began whereas Wirtz was rested, as a substitute, Leverkusen lacked any creativity of their assault as Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella didn’t actually do rather a lot and the midfield had Granit Xhaka, Robert Andrich and Aleix Garcia in it, none of them a byword for creativity.
The draw implies that Leverkusen are actually eight factors behind , if Leverkusen need any probability of retaining their title, they not solely have to win this sport however will virtually must be excellent for the remainder of the seasons.
Niko Kovac faces the truth of the Borussia Dortmund job:
Dortmund seemed rather a lot higher on this sport than they’d of their earlier video games, nonetheless, they shot themselves within the foot, which may be very on-brand for Dortmund for the time being. This was proven in the absolute best manner when former Stuttgart defender Waldemar Anton diverted a Chris Führich shot into his personal internet to offer the guests the lead. Issues didn’t get any higher for Dortmund when their defence..forgot tips on how to defend? When a recycled nook leaves Jeff Chabot broad open to double Stuttgart’s lead.
Julian Brandt gave Dortmund a lifeline when his low drive effort, one way or the other, discovered the again of the web. Nonetheless, Julian Ryerson would then be despatched off for a second yellow.
Will probably be a giant ask for Kovac to try to coach out these errors that the gamers preserve making as a result of as issues stand, that is the primary motive why Dortmund preserve dropping, the gamers are simply not that good.
The loss for Dortmund now means they’re having their worst run at house since 2006, as they at the moment sit on 5 video games with no win.
All the cash on this planet can’t assist Hoffenheim:
In each switch home windows, Hoffenheim have spent a grand whole of €76m. With that cash, they’re the fourth greatest spenders within the league, are fourth from backside and 4 factors away from the relegation locations, however to be sincere, they’re simply fairly dangerous.
That was highlighted in the present day after they misplaced 4-0 to Union Berlin. Because the finish of October, Union had solely gained one sport. Which tells you the whole lot you have to know.
One thing clearly isn’t clicking both with the gamers and Christian Ilzer, or simply the gamers basically. Now can be a great time to most likely sack Ilzer, however as a result of sum of money spent and the quantity of Sturm Graz alumni on the membership, this appears unlikely.
(I for one would welcome a Hoffenhiem sacrifice for a crew that truly fills their stadium)
GGFN | Jack Meenan