Bundesliga Matchday Review: Matchday 5

FRIDAY: Hertha 0-1 Stuttgart
Hertha's excellent home unbeaten run came to an end after their first defeat since the 11-12 relegation play-off. The game was a tale of two halves, one dominated by Hertha and the other a more even showing. Sven Ulreich had to be at his best in both periods as he proved vital to the away side earning a hard fought three points. He produced a string of fine stops during the game, especially in the first period where Hertha dominated. However Christian Gentner produced a fantastic reflex save from Thomas Kraft to keep the home side on their toes.

At the start of the second Stuttgart took their best chance and midfielder Gentner headed home from a Maxim corner kick, after that the game was more even and both sides had chances to score, but both keepers had fine games. Schneider has transformed Stuttgart from being open and relying on Ibisevic, to being able to defend when needs must and grind out a result and also being a free flowing attacking side.

SATURDAY: Bremen 0-3 Frankfurt
Bremen's start to the season looked even more deceiving as a rampant Frankfurt side ran rampant thanks to a magnificent display from Seb Rode. A great cross field ball from the aforementioned midfielder found Inui, who danced his way into the box, found the overlapping Oczipka who squared to the near post for Kadlec to score, his second in as many games since joining the club. More good long passing from the away side meant Jung had penalty of time out on the right, and he whipped in a cracking ball towards that man Kadlec who headed home a bullet past Melitiz to make it two-nil.

Into the second half and Bremen had an early chance to reduce the arrears  but captain Hunt missed penalty, and their afternoon went from bad to worse. As if it couldn't get anyone worse for Bremen, Rode's long passing came to the for again as he knocked it out wide, and after a cross Kadlec miss kicked it into the path of Prodl who smashes home brilliantly.. into his own net.

Leverkusen 3-1 Wolfsburg
A cracking over the top through ball from Lars Bender saw Sidney Sam race clear and fire past Bengalio, who was apoplectic at his defence to say the least. Olic then levelled for the away side, a fantastic near post flick left the helpless Leno clawing at thin air as he watched it glide past him and into the top corner. Not a bad birthday present, eh? The Wolfs almost went ahead straight after, as Gustavo rattled Leno's bar, only for the ball to bounce off of the keeper and just wide.

The man who compares the national team to cheese and scores goals for fun helped himself to a slice of the action, as Keissling headed home a free-kick to give Leverkusen a two-one lead. Gustavo sent off. Then, in added time the goalscorer extraordinaire got himself clear of the Wolfsburg defence and let rip a shot that left Benaglio rooted to the ground, staring at the ball as it cannoned into the top right hand corner to seal the win.

For more on Wolfsburg's indiscipline, check out fellow Press Room writer @Liam10Lee's article on the subject: http://vflblog.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/wolfsburg-seeing-red/

Mainz 0-1 Schalke
Another interesting game, and one of which Mainz and especially Soto will rue missing a host of second half chances as they lost for the second time in a row. The game was very even to start off, with Schalke shackling, sorry I couldn't resist, the dangerous Nicolai Mueller and Mainz's defence looking equally as solid, it looked like a mistake would open up the game and it did. Okazaki nonchalantly played a pass back into the middle of the pitch, were KP Boatneg happened to be standing and he only had to curl past Heinz Mueller for his first goal since his return, his first Bundesliga goal since 2007.



Bayern 2-0 Hannover
Bayern debuted their new Octoberfest tribute kit on Saturday as they took on a determined Hannover side, an even game in the first half saw both sides have chances, most notably Mandzukic going close for the home team, while the lively Didier Ya Konan rattled Neuer's bar, but like Nuremburg in previous weeks, they fell foul to a second half onslaught from Guardiola's men.

The inevitable soon happened after half-time, as Robben found Kroos, who squared for Mario Mandzukic who just had to help the ball past Zieler for once of the easiest goals he'll score. A hopeful ball from Kroos wasn't cleared by the Hannover defence, and that allowed Robben to break free and see his shot parried by Zieler, only to fall to Ribery's feet and the European Footballer of the Year doubled Bayern's advantage. Bayern had further chances but could not convert, keeping the pressure up on Dortmund.

Augsburg 2-1 Freiburg
Well, let's just say the less said about the first half of this game the better. However, the second half was quite the spectacle. An even affair, but barely any proper goal mouth action, the latter stages of the game were a joy to watch.

Some good play allowed Mehmedi to wriggle his way through, past Callsen-Bracker and to somehow squirm a shot past Manniger, who really should have done better. The game was 50/50 after that, and after a following move down the wing and a lovely dummy, Hamit Altintop tapped past the onrushing Baumann to make it one-one. This gave Augsburg renewed hope, and they continued to press from here, and if not for a few cracking saves from Baumann, they could have been in front. The game evened out again, but in the last minute of normal time, Werner waltzed through the Freiburg defence without so much as a challenge to smash home into the the helpless Baumann's left hand corner, sending their fans crazy as they held out for a third win of the season, as Freiburg's iffy start continues.

Dortmund 6-2 Hamburg
Well. My word what a game! Bayern would have been hoping for a repeat of last season's games, plenty of goals and Dortmund coming out on the wrong side of the result, but as you can see, that didn't happen. 'Torbameyang' gave Dortmund the lead after a well struck shot squirmed past Adler who'll be disappointed he didn't do better. 'Magictaryan' then doubled die Schwarz-gelb's advantage just three minutes later. Then came a wonder strike from young Lam, and Hamburg went on to equalise just after half-time through Heiko Westermann, but that was as good as it got for the Northerners. 

In a devastating sixteen minute spell, Dortmund went goal crazy, Aubameyang put the Westphalia side three-two up to the good in the sixty first minute, then Lewandowski and Reus scored within a minute of each other and the preceding went on to nab a brace which sealed a fantastic start for Dortmund in the eighty-first minute, ending the deadly sixteen minute rout. They managed to maintain their two point advantage over major rivals Bayern as the twenty-third of November draws ever closer.

Hoffenheim 2-1 Gladbach
Hoffenheim continues their good run of form as the beat a Gladbach side that has failed to shake off the inconsistencies that plagued last year's campaign. Hoffenheim were the team looking more likely to score and they did indeed take the lead through new summer signing Anthony Modeste around the half hour.

The second half was a more open game and it was Hoffenheim who took advantage of this, as Kevin Volland controlled a through ball, turned his marker and found ter-Stegen's left hand corner. The German under-21 international has now scored/assisted six of Hoffenheim's goals this term, making a January move seeming even more likely. The game continued to be open and Gladbach profited this time as Horgota halved the deficitto give the horses hope. However a late onslaught was not enough, including a poor miss from Daems meant that they would pick up another win, could they be a surprise package this year?

Braunschweig 1-1 Nuremburg

Braunschweig finally managed to give their fanatical fans something to shout about as they picked up their first point of the season in the final game of matchday 5. A nervous and niggly start was understandable for two sides who wanted to avoid another defeat, but it was Nürnberg who took the lead through Hlousek, his first of the season and a vital goal for the away side. They had Marcel Schäfer to thank on numerous occasions as he had to be at his best to deny Braunschweig.

Into the second half and Nürnberg had to endure prolonged pressure from the home side, the best of those chances falling to star striker Domi Kumbela whose rasping half-volley produced a flying save from Marcel Schäfer. However, his and Nürnberg's resistance was to be broken in the last twenty minutes, as Emar Elabdellaoui struck to hand the bottom club their first points of the year and a glimmer of hope as they head into matchday 6.

Bundesliga Review: Matchday 4

So, the weekend before the international break and the Bundesliga left us with some more exhilarating entertainment before it had a rest, so without further ado, let's have a look!

TUESDAY: Freiburg 1-1 Bayern

Bayern took on Freiburg knowing that their hosts hadn't beaten them for seventeen long years and were strong favourites to win this one as well. On Saturday Bayern had also set a new club record of twenty-eight game unbeaten, and had Dortmund (31) and Hamburg's (36) records set in their sights to surpass.  However, Freiburg came out firing and looking dangerous as they went close early on, only for Bayern's so called "second eleven" to take the lead in the thirty-fourth minute. Another slick passing move from Guardiola's men saw Xherdan Shaqiri take a touch then rifle home a half-volley past Oliver Baumann, making up for his shocking miss in the Bavarian Derby.

In the second half, Bayern were denied through a combination of Baumann, last ditch defending and sheer luck, their lack of clinical finishing was made to pay as Freiburg found an equaliser. Not necessarily deserved on their second half performance, but their grafting came to fruition as Nicolas Hoefer pounced as he poked home to give Freiburg the draw. Despite the disappointment Bayern went on to lift the Supercup come Friday, with a 5-4 penalty win over Chelsea after a cracking game that finished 2-2 and saw new European footballer of the year Franck Ribery showcase why he was selected the award.

SATURDAY: Gladbach 4-1 Bremen

Sadly not the most exciting game to start off with, best shown by the first two shots of the game for Bremen being closer to the half way line than the goal line. A niggly and bitty game, with both sides failing to create a full clear cut chance to work either keeper, it wasn't until a fantastic long ball set Juan Arango free down the left as from just inside the box, he sent a fierce drive past the on rushing Melitiz to give his side a deserved lead on the lion-share of the play. 

The second period produced some excellent entertainment, as just eight minutes in, Melitiz failed to push a shot far enough wide and Raffael tapped in to give the home side breathing space. However, straight after Bremen had two reasonable penalty appeals turned down, and it took an amazing save from ter-Stegen to keep the Gladbach sheet clean. This seemed to really open up the game as it went to and fro. Bremen continued their pressure and got their reward as a flick on hit the helpless Nordtveit who could only react to turn the ball into his own net to give the Northerners hope. This was soon dashed as Gladbach's exciting front four combined to leave Max Kruse an almost open net to place the ball home. It was to get worse for the away side, as Kruse robbed Werder of the ball, slipped in Patrick Herrmann who rounded the keeper and slotted home for his first goal in sixteen games and it finished that way in a very convincing win for the home side.

Hamburg 4-0 Braunschweig

Two sides at the foot of the table went head to head as Hamburg celebrated fifty years in the Bundesliga and they weren't to be disappointed as star man Rafa Van der Vaart gave the an early lead as he rifled home from inside the box giving the dis-paring Davari no chance. As if it couldn't get any better, poor defending from Dogan and equally good strength from Max Beister  good play by Beister meant that he could slide in Jacques Zoua to make it two-nil with his first league goal. They continued the pressure with Zoua and co. having further chances to extend the lead, but it stayed that way until half-time.

Hamburg continued their dominance as Bruanschweig found it hard to get a real foot-hold in the game. Chance after chance fell their way, but it wasn't until Hakan Calhanoglu got the ball, beat one, beat two and then shot on the angle only for Divari to let the ball slip underneath himself and into the net. He wasn't finished and neither were Hamburg, a free-kick on the edge of the box saw that man Calhanoglu to smash home into the top corner to make it four, a fantastic result for Fink's under-pressure side.

Nuremburg 0-1 Augsburg

Augsburg fresh from their impressive win over Stuttgart last week started the brightest, with Holzhauser looking dangerous and only a combination of luck and Schaefer kept them from opening the scoring. The game then evened out, with the teams looking dangerous from set pieces and both having good chances, but the best of those were falling to the away side and they still failed to find a way past the impressive Schaefer.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first, with both sides finding it hard to come by any clear cut chances, both keepers were rarely tested to their limits. The game just couldn't find that spark to get it started, and a frustrated Pinola picked up a red card for two bookable offences. Then, the game got it's goal, Holzhauser smakced the post, number 7 couldn't tap home and then the ball fell to Vogt and he needed a deflection of the dis-paring dive of a Nuremburg defender to give them the lead. Never the less, Nuremburg couldn't recover and it was left to Schaefer to spare their blushes until the final whistle, another vital win for Augsburg as they look to keep this run of form going.

Hannover 4-1 Mainz

Mainz great run came to an abrupt end, but.. You can't keep a good man down can you? Straight away Nicolai Mueller capitalised on a poor, poor clearance from Sané. Pospech played him in, and as cool as you like slotted past Zieler to give him his fifth goal of the campaign in just the twelfth minute. The game then evened up, as neither side were able to edge past the other. That was the case until a corner found Mame Diouf's head and he was able to get it just over the line as Pospech cleared, sparking furious protests from the away side's players, but the goal stood. This gave the home side the ascendancy as they pressed for a second, and they didn't wait long to make it count. Great work from Lars Stindl down the line meant he went past three to chip in for Artur Sobiech as he gave 'die Roten' the lead.

Tuchel's Mainz seemed to be missing that something they'd shown in their three previous games and Mueller wasn't getting the ball to help them out, and it was only a matter of time before Hannover hit them on the counter. That materialised as Didier Ya Konan then fired home a wonderful goal from twenty yards out leaving Mueller in goal diving helpless to his left-hand corner, a special striker from the Ivorian on the half volley, and they continued to ramp home their advantage as Andreassen slipped in new signing Edgar Prib who thundered a shot in at Mueller's near post to seal a fantastic result as Hannover look to push towards Europe.

Wolfsburg 2-0 Hertha

Hertha's fine return to the Bundesliga was ended by the ravaging wolves, who dominated the game. Diego had a few early chances, with a half volley zipping past the post. Then Ramos headed the ball down into the ground and just over Benaglio's goal. Then, coming up to the half, the wolves were clinical as a wayward Naldo shot fell to Ivica Olic who slid in well to tap past the hapless Kraft. Shortly after, the home side were awarded a penalty, Diego winning it, dusting himself off and converting.

More of the same after the restart as the ever impressive Koo crossed as Diego headed wise of an open net straight off the restart. The rest of the game was less exciting, as chances were few and far between, as both Benaglio and Kraft watched on largely untroubled for the second half. Hecking's side closed out the game very well as they continue their impressive home form and start to the season.

SUNDAY: Stuttgart 4-1 Hoffenheim

Bernd Schneider's run as Suttgart's new coach got off to an excellent start as they took on the team with the most goals so far, Hoffenheim, and he got the perfect start from his team. As a quickly taken Maxim free-kick made it's way into the box, Antonio Ruediger was on hand to pounce and give his side the lead after just ten minutes. They didn't wait long to press home the advantage, as Modeste missed an excellent chance, Stuttgart countered, won a corner and Mazim found Mr.Reliable, Vevad Ibisevic, to head home their second. The entertain wasn't over though, as Hoffenheim replied through Volland, his shot deflecting off of Ruediger and over Ulreich, just seconds later another goal! Koen Casteels came and got nowhere near the ball, meaning Maxim had the simple task of passing the ball into the net. There was a massive moment of controversy, as Volland chipped Ulreich, but the goal was disallowed due to the softest of pushes, Hoffenheim understandably apoplectic. 

The second half started off in the same vein as the first, as Ibisevic round the on rushing Casteels to make it four-one as Schneider's men continued to dominate. The continued pressure paid off as the magnificent Maxim cut in from the left, glided past Vestergaard and then sent a beautiful curling shot into the top corner. Stuttgart fans were in wonderland, and if they hadn't hit cloud nine yet, they were getting ever closer in goal terms. Casteels misjudged again and that left the Bosnian an open goal to head into for his hat-trick. Stuttgart had many further chances to add to their tally, but Roberto Firmino added a late consolation for the away side, however Schneider will not complain one bit after this result.

Frankfurt 1-2 Dortmund
Both teams with good early chances, with Weidenfeller and Trapp having to make good saves from Inui and Lewandowski respectively. Kuba was then denied by Trapp, but soon after he turned provider, driving through Frankfurt's midfield before slipping in Henrik Mkhitaryan to delightfully slide home his first Dortmund goal. Schmelzer had to be alert to deny new signing Kadlec with an important tackle, Klopp was his usual animated self on the touch-line as Frankfurt began to come into the game more and more. So much so, that they equalised through new signing Kadlec, his first goal for Frankfurt. Schmelzer let Aigner run free and his header hit the post and rebounded to the Czech international and he tucked it away. 

Frankfurt started the second half much the stronger, forcing a string of corners but failed to really test Weidenfeller. Dortmund, as we know are dangerous on the counter, and despite Frankfurt tracking Mkhitaryan the whole way across the box, the Armenian wriggled free and curled a beautiful shot into Trapp's right hand corner. Frankfurt were not disheartened and they continued to attack, with Anderson going inches from levelling the score as he hit the post. The game continued to be an even affair, with Dortmund typically dangerous counter attacking and Frankfurt looked threatening from set-pieces. Unfortunately for the hosts, Dortmund remained incredibly resilient and as Mhkitaryan kept Dortmund's 100% record intact.