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.

Bundesliga Review: Matchday 3

Could Schalke finally kick-start their season? Would Goetze play? Could Nicolai Mueller keep his fine run of form going? These were just some of questions that were being batted around, and in this review of an exhilarating, enthralling and entertaining matchday three review I'll do my best to answer those, but first we'll start with table-toppers Borussia Dortmund.

FRIDAY: Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Werder Bremen
Dortmund took on Bremen at a sold old Westfalenstadion on a beautiful Friday evening as they tried to maintain their place at the top, but they too faced a Bremen side who also had a 100% record after the first two matchdays, all be it two one-nil wins against Augsburg and Eintracht Braunschweig, and very lucky wins at that. This was a game dominated by the home side, as Dortmund pressed to get an early advantage, but a combination of brave Bremen defending and goalkeeping from Melitiz kept them at bay. Reus was orchestrating the play as he went close multiple times, but no-one went as close as Kuba, who thundered a shot off of the underside of the bar only to bounce harmlessly away. Bremen, after being camped in their half for fourty-five minutes happened to release Arnautovic who flashed a drive just wide of Weidenfeller's right hand post, the first real sign of intent from the Northerners.

The second half began much as the first did, with more Dortmund dominance, but this time they got the goal they deserved. A slick passing move from BVB split the Werder defence wide open and this let Aubameyang square for Lewandowski to tap home his second goal of the season. After this, Bremen came into the game slightly more, but without really troubling Weidenfeller, and it wasn't until the introduction of Franco di Santo that they had their first proper shot on target, as the Argentine produced a fine save from Weidenfeller after a rasping shot almost crept into the top corner. They kept calm and recorded their third win in three, the last time they cord their third win in three, the last time they did this, they ended up champions. Dutt's  Bremen can hold their heads high, as last season under Schaff this could have been a cricket score.

SATURDAY: Hoffenheim 3-3 Freiburg
Well, what more can you say about this game? Six goals, a penalty, three red cards and almost everything else you could want from a Bundesliga game. The game started off with Sorg fouling Elyounoussi and Salihovic converting the resulting penalty. Only for him to slap a Freiburg player and get sent of, and this is just the start. Just 4 minutes later, Sorg struck a blocked free-kick from twenty-five yards out, and with the aid of a Roberto Firmino deflection flew past Casteels and it was one-one. The came continued, to and fro, until Volland controlled a lobbed pass he had no right to and sent a delicious chip over Baumann's head and into the top corner. However, yet again Freiburg levelled almost immediately after a scramble in the box, the ball fell to Karim Guede who poked home to make it two-two. The game was an absolute marvel, but after picking up two bookings in a minute, Francis Coquelin would play no further part, despite the second being very harsh.

Into the second half and the madness continued, but their was nothing mad about Sebastien Freis goal that put Freiburg ahead, as he expertly volleyed home from the edge of the box, straight into the top corner with the side of his foot to give the away side a two-three lead. Yet again, that lead didn't last long, as a slip in midfield let Thomas Strobl run free and slap a shot from 20 yards into Baumann's top corner. No more goals, but another sending off, as Admir Mehmedi got a late early bath as he was given his marching orders in the ninetieth minute. A game that will surely be remembered as one of the Bundesliga classics was Freiburg's first point of the season after a slow start, but Hoffenheim look rejuvenated and look to be far from the relegation battle they found themselves in last season. 

Bayern 2-0 Nuremberg
Both Goetze and Thiago started for Bayern who could afford to leave Mueller and Kroos on the bench ahead of the Bavarian derby, which for the first half at least, was an evenly contested affair. The game began with Bayern finding it more difficult than normal to get past a compact Nuremburg defence, but the constant threat of Ribery and Robben was enough to keep everyone on their toes. The first real chance of game fell to the away side, as former Dortmund man Daniel Ginzcek rattled Manuel Neuer's bar with the ball nearly crossing the line. This seemed to be the wake up Bayern needed, and they got a dubious penalty after Per Nilsson and Arjen Robben went shoulder to shoulder, with the latter taking a tumble in a nothing challenge. Up stepped Daniel Alaba who saw his penalty saved by Manuel Schaefer, only his second penalty save for Nuremburg.

The second half brought more Bayern dominance, as the away side spent most of their half there. Mandzukic and co. toiled away, but Schaefer constantly kept them at bay. It was only when Mueller and Kroos came on for Goetze and Thiago, almost straight away Bayern looked more fluid, with a Lahm cross finding Ribery who hammered home a header to give Muenchen the lead in the sixty-ninth minute. They then set about making the game safe, and it was Robben who went on a mazy run, beating one, two, three and then nutmegging the impressive Schaefer to make it two-nil and give Bayern the game. With that win Bayern set a new club record of twenty-eight games without defeat and by scoring, they have now gone fourty games without drawing a blank. However, some bad news came on the Sunday when new signing Thiago was ruled out for seven weeks with injury.

Leverkusen 4-2 Gladbach
Leverkusen went into the game aiming to keep pace at the top and also trying to equal a club record eighth win in a row. It was Mr.Reliable Stefan Keissling who opened the scoring for Bayer from the penalty spot after twenty-three minutes, renown for opening the scoring twelve times last year, he's already done it twice this season. Also, a high point for Keissling was that it was his hundredth Bundesliga goal for Leverkusen. It wasn't long after until Leverkusen doubled their lead, Sidney Sam who seems to have a new lease of life, was set up by the ever impressive Keissling who squared for him to tap in, in the twenty-eighth minute.

Into the second half and it took Gladbach just eight minutes to find a way back into the game, as fantastic work by Kruse with the slide rule pass, Herrmann with a jinking run and then the finish by Stranzl in the fifty-fourth minute. Just three minutes later Juan Arango squared it up after an horrendous mistake by Bernd Leno, who spilt the most innocuous of crosses straight to the feet of the on rushing Venezuelan. That was as good as it got for Gladbach however, as the parity last for just four minutes as that man Sidney Sam turned, swivelled and shot past a helpless ter-Stegen, who could only watch as the home side went three-two up in the sixty-first minute of the game. It was only a further ten minutes that we had to wait for another goal, as Sidney Sam was tackled, the ball broke perfectly for Gonzalo Castro who spanked the ball past ter-Stegen from twenty-five yards to make it four-two.

Hannover 2-1 Schalke
The pressure on Jens Keller couldn't get much worse, but it was just about too. After just fifteen minutes, Schalke were a goal and a man down. Benedikt Hoewedes was sent off for conceding it and Huszti sent Hildebrand the wrong way to give his side a one-nil lead. The game was a very bitty and niggly affair, and it took until the fourty-second minute for either side to really threaten again, but Mame Diouf was clinical and took his chance. Offside in the first phase of play, the apparent Stoke target got himself back onside and glanced home a header from no range to make Keller feel even more uncomfortable.

Schalke came out of the half-time break with Keller's words stinging in his teams ear, Schalke looked a lot better but Szalai broke free after Draxler's pass to Clemens (which was offside), the Hungarian contrived to miss an open goal. He atoned for his previous error and he gave the Gelsenkirchen side some hope. This grew later in the half as Huszti was sent off for a dangerously high boot on Fuchs, who himself would later be sent off for two yellows in six minutes. That's also how it finished, with the pressure piling on to Keller, will he still be in a job after the return leg at PAOK? Who knows!

Mainz 2-0 Wolfsburg
Mainz were another side looking to maintain their 100% record going into matchday three, as they took on Wolfsburg now with one of the strongest spines in the league thanks to the addition of Luis Gustavo. This one was also in favour of Wolfsburg, with the away side having only lost once in their last eight games to Mainz and they've only one once at home against Wolfsburg in the last seven games. An uneventful first half was however followed by a fantastic second half, that went against the aforementioned stats. 

Fifteen minutes into the second half, the deadlock was broken as Choupo-Moting slid in after a goalmouth scramble following a corner, he pounced on Bo Svensson's header to give his side the advantage. Soon after, Luis Gustavo picked up a second yellow card and he was given an early bath. The clincher came through that man Nicolai Mueller, who after a perfect long ball from Johannes Geis broke through and slammed past Benaglio into his top right hand corner to give Mainz a deserved win. Thomas Tuchel, who is rumoured for the Schalke job, managed to stay unbeaten against Dieter Hecking and keep up his sides impressive early season form.

Hertha 1-0 Hamburg
Hertha aimed to upset Hamburg as they celebrated their fiftieth anniversary of being in the Bundesliga, and they did just that as they continued their impressive early season form with a win they had to grind out more than what they were used to this season. Hamburg brought eleven thousand fans to the Olympiastadion, but were unfortunately sent home disappointed. A first half that had more yellows than clear cut chances was followed by a better second half, and only an Adrian Ramos strike in the seventy-fourth minute separated the teams as the Columbian netted his third goal in as many games. Some tipped Hertha for the drop, but I honestly believe they could be dark horses for Europe at this rate.

SUNDAY: Braunschweig 0-2 Frankfurt
Frankfurt and Braunschweig were both desperate to get their first points of the season, but yet again it was plucky Braunschweig who went down fighting. After a tight and bright first half for the newly promoted side, yet again class and Bundesliga experience told for their opponents like in their previous two games. The first goal came from serial goal-getter Alex Meier, who's strike in the fifty-second minute took a huge deflection to go in, then came the killer goal, as Stephan Aigner scored just ten minutes later to secure the win for Armin Veh's side.

Augsburg 2-1 Stuttgart
The two other teams without a point yet in the league went head to head at the SGL Arena, in a more exciting encounter than the early Sunday game. The game got the early goal it needed as Hamit Altintop scored his first Bundesliga goal for three years as he nipped unattended as the Stuttgart defence fell asleep. Then in the thirty-sixth minute it was two-nil as my favourite name in the Bundesliga, Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker headed home. The first half wasn't over though, as Stuttgart's Mr.Dependable Vevad Ibisevic tucked away a penalty.

Into the second half and it was a much nervier and tighter affair, with Augsburg having to clear off the line being the most exciting event, well, apart from former Augsburg man Ibrahima Traore getting a very debatable red card to make it a record eight for the match day. That means that both Suttgart and Braunschweig are yet to get a point on the board this season.

That's all for Matchday 3 from me, here's hoping next week is just as exciting!

Team of the Year Predictions: Bundesliga.

GK: Manuel NEUER
The obvious choice really, conceding just 13 goals all season in the 28 games he's played. Many will say he's had nothing to do all year and he's just had the best view of Bayern's attack, if that was ever in doubt his tremendous performance against Eintracht Frankfurt in Bayern's title winning game typified Neuer's alertness and qualities as a goalkeeper. Commanding and reassuring to his defence, as well as being one of the finest 1v1 stoppers in the world, Bayern's goalkeeping position will be his for the foreseeable future.

RB: Daniel CARVAJAL
A product of the Real Madrid youth academy, Carvajal has impressed hugely since he moved to Leverkusen. Equally adapt at attacking as he is at defending, the young Spaniard has excelled this year and has been a big part of their success this season. As I looked at WhoScored, at the time of writing, he's made 100 tackles and interceptions... (speechlessness). How is it possible to be so adept at the defensive side, yet give so much in attack? All I know is, he's a pleasure to watch, especially with Schurlle and KeiBling in front of him to feed!

CB: Mats HUMMELS
The rock at the heart of the Dortmund defence, that does not look the same without the 24 year-old at the heart of their defence. A remarkable penalty taker (which German isn't?) and a big threat in the opposition box, he is widely admired around the world by the finest teams there are, with Barcelona among one of his many suitors. Also an incredible ball playing defender, Hummels is integral part of anything Dortmund do. Of course he is also one of the best defenders in the world, combining pace, strength and tackling ability to be one of the sights strikers hate to see on a Saturday.

CB: DANTE
Signing of the season would be an insult to how well the big Brazilian has acquited himself since his move from Mochengladbach. He has carried his previous season's form over, and has continued to be a rock at the back, the crowning glory, his first call-up to the national side to play England. As comfortable on the ball as anyone on the pitch Dante marshals his back four with ease, looking like he could put out his deck chair, and enjoy the customary Bavarian Beer festival, occasionally rises to dispossess any attacker daring to challenge him.

LB: David ALABA
One of the most attacking left-backs you'll see. The young, exuberant Alaba never stops running all game, and with a deadly finish, the Alaba and Ribery pairing is enough to make any right-back 'pull a hamstring' in the warm-up. One to get stuck in, the Austrian is a fantastic defender, strong and good in the air for a man of his height and is great in a tackle, without fully committing himself he is speedy to recover should he ever be beaten. Having to defend against some of the finest right-sided players like Reus, Ronaldo and co. He has faired admirably and a player a lot of people would love at their club.

RM: Marco REUS
'Rolls Reus'. There is no better description for the Dortmund attacker. Lethal from anywhere on the pitch, inside or outside the box, free-kicks, tap-ins, Reus has it all. His finishing is wonderful, but his dribbling is something else all together, the pace to trouble any player in the world and combine that with his flair and fantastic ball control, you have one of the most complete packages in the world. Reus has the ability to create the sublime from absolutely nothing, as we all seen with that amazing flick against Malaga. Let's all reminisce about it..ahhh..

CM: Toni KROOS
I often find myself saying Kroos's name over and to the tune of 'Baby give it up", sad this may seem but if there's one player who I've been hugely, massively, enormously impressed by, it's him. Despite his recent injury Bayern have continued to tick, but Kroos added that little something extra to the side, his passing, shooting and movement always gave the opposition something to think about. His finish against Arsenal, with the Lampard-esque run showcased everything good about him, starting and clinically finishing off a fantastic move. Wonderful player.

CM: Mario GöTZE
Götze has created more chances for his team mates (15) than any other Bundesliga player. One of the most creative players in the world, Götze is renown for his capability to create something from nothing. He could however add more goals to his game, as I'm sure he'd admit with the missed chances v Augsburg and Malaga, but that will come with time. (I say that and he's scored 10 goals..) Forming the 'Götzeus' partnership, if Dortmund can hang on to these two, they'll be set for the next few years, with the pairing being two of the most exciting players in world football.

LM: Franck RIBERY
For me, the best left-sided player in the world this year, Ribery has destroyed whatever has been put in front of him. Quick as lightning, agile as a gymnast and a shot to make any keeper run for cover. Ribery has been pivotal to Bayern's success this year, with 10 goals and 11 assists and 9 man of the match awards,  yes 9! Ribery is also one of the few skilful players in the world that uses his skills at the right times and knows when to pass, making 'Alabery'(?!) a force to reckon with. You know, that Alabery might catch on..

ST: Stefan KEIßLING
Second top scorer this year and only beaten by poaching master Robert Lewandowski, Stefan Keißling has been hugely impressive this year, notching up his 100th career league goal in the process. Early goals change games and true to form, Keißling has got that goal 8 times, making such a difference to his teams mentality knowing that the big man upfront will always get you a goal. Extremely versatile, being happy with the ball at his feet or in the air, it's a travesty that he hasn't got the chance he's deserved with Joachim Loew's Germany side.

ST: Robert LEWANDOWSKI

Goalscorer extraordinaire  Robert Lewandowski. He scores goals, it's that simple. 22 goals so far for Dortmund in the league this year has ensured that those United rumours won't go away, with just a year left on his contract. He may not have flattered with some of the missed chances in the Champions League, but he will get you goals, that's for sure. The composure and finish against Malaga was truly fantastic, he is so calm on the pitch, a spaceship would land and he wouldn't care, but if it was in HIS penalty box, well then that's different.

Honourable Mentions

I couldn't fit all the players I wanted into this squad so, what better to include so of the 'best of the rest', who could all have valid arguments for being in this team. These are the 4 players that I thought could have been in the side, but deserve some recognition for their efforts this year.

GK: Kevin TRAPP

A keeper who hasn't had much acclaim this season, but had it not been for Trapp, Eintracht Frankfurt would not be currently 6th in the Bundesliga. Not a flamboyant keeper by any stretch, he does what he needs to and does that well. Despite an injury unfortunately cutting his season short, Trapp has imposed himself well, with the 22 year-old continuing the trend of wonderful German keepers, by impressing in every game this year. Commanding and with the ability to pull off stunning saves, Frankfurt may do well to hold on to such a hot prospect in the coming years.

RB: Philipp LAHM

Mr consistency, Lahm has been doing everything to his best since he started playing for Bayern all those years ago. Lahm has 10 assists to his name this year, his partnership with however plays in front of him has always seems to be telepathic, they know when to overlap, cross, shoot and everything else in between. Lahm also possesses wonderful defending attributes, surprisingly strong and as strong in the tackle, Lahm was and still is one of the world's best right-backs and defenders.

CM: DIEGO

The Brazilian set-piece master has been magnificent this year for Wolfsburg, scoring and setting up freely, he's been a real threat for the team and their main bright spark this season, who without him, would be languishing far further down the table. Always there to receive and play a pass, Diego is integral to his team's success, being the metronome of the attack, give him the ball and he'll make the play. People could argue he's been more influential than Toni Kroos, but Kroos has been simply superb for Bayern and has probably doubled his value this year.

Mr. Versitile: Thomas MüLLER

I think Thomas Müller could play anywhere on the pitch and he would be suited to it. Able to play anywhere in midfield and a dab hand up front, Müller is brilliant, a manager's dream. He has finishing, passing, dribbling, heading, defending, work rates, you know I could go on and on and bore you to death, but I shan't, because if you've stuck with me until now I'm astonished! However, I would love Müller in my team, he never stops and never gives up, and God loves a trier.

Performance Predictor: Bundesliga (Teams 1-4, A-Z)

Guten Abend! How are you? Hope everything is good, so today we travel from fabulous France to the Great Germany! In this part of 'Performance Predictor' we will starting previewing the Bundesliga starting off alphabetically the first four teams include the big two, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, this will be a great start to the Bundesliga series!

FC Augsburg

Last season: 14th

Star man: Ja-Cheol Koo

Unsung hero: Simon Jentzsch

Prediction for this season: Relegation.

FC Augsburg have got off to a poor start this year and believe it is the start of things to come. They have no real outstanding talent in the squad, a good signing though in Ja-Cheol Koo who impressed for South Korea in the Olympic tournament. Apart from this they lack any real inspiration anywhere on the pitch. So their unsung hero this season will probably be goalkeeper Simon Jentzsch, who will be a busy bee most games and he will have to be on top form to have any hope of staying up. The other glimmer of glimmer of hope is experienced centre back Gibril Sankoh, who was very steady last year, but whether he can produce this form again this year remains to be seen.

Bayer Leverkusen

Last season: 5th.

Star man: Andre Schürlle

Unsung hero: Bernd Leno

Prediction for this season: Europa League places.

Leverkusen are a strange team, able to surprise the bigger teams in the league but then fail to get a result against the so called easier teams. Their team is plentiful in talent, especially with Toprak, Leno and Schürlle. Leno was excellent last season, earning alot of plaudits from his peers for some outstanding performances which saved Leverkusen on countless occasions. Such is the talent in Germany's goalkeeping ranks that he wasn't even in the provisional squad for the European Championships. While Toprak is the cover infront of him, Andre Schürlle provides the threat upfront. He is capable to play anywhere across the front line, on the wings and as a striker himself. He has the pace to trouble any defender coupled with his fantastic finishing and work-rate he is a defenders nightmare.

Bayern Munich

Last season: Runners up.

Star man: Mario Mandzukic

Unsung hero: Holger Badstuber

Prediction for this season: Runners up.

Last year's 'nearly team' coming second in the Bundesliga, the Champions League and the DFB Pokal. However, with the signing of Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao they have signaled their intent to end Dortmund's run at the top of German football. Bayern have quality from top to bottom, one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, if not the finest. The have a defence that would make any team envious, with legend Philip Lahm, two solid centre backs that are the impressive Dante signed from Monchengladbach and then the ever reliable Holger Badstuber, who kept the greatest strikers in the world quiet last year. Whilst their midfield and front line is one of the most feared in the world, obviously 'Robbery', Schweinsteiger and Gomez are the immediate thoughts but for me Toni Kroos and Mario Manzukic are key players also. Mandzukic had a great Euro's and has been able to continue that form as Gomez has been injured, allowing him to cement a starting place. While Toni Kroos is one of the most exciting talents coming out of Germany at the moment, able to shoot and pass aswell as being an excellent dribbler.

Borussia Dortmund

Last season: Champions

Star man: Mario Götze

Unsung hero: Sebastian Kehl

Prediction for this season: Champions.

Borussia Dortmund have been the undoubted top dogs in German football, claiming the league for the past two years with conviction and also secured a first League and Cup double with a 5-2 win over Bayern Munich. Die Schwarz-gelb are also closing in on a full calendar year unbeaten if they avoid defeat in their next two games, they will achieve the magnificent feat! Dortmund's brilliant passing football and high pressing style is hard not to admire and it all starts off from the solid back-line and into captain Kehl, who holds the midfield together, acting as a screen for BVB's defence. While upfront Mario Götze's creativity is second to none, his dazzling dribbling is a feat to behold. When he comes on he seems to light the touch paper and Dortmund kick into life and become an unstoppable force. The title race will go right down to the wire this year, with both teams looking impressive in their opening games.

So that's the start of the Bundesliga! Hopefully you all enjoyed and I should be back with another one tomorrow, I may struggle to get out as many posts as I would like as I have 7 games this month and school's started back, but I shall try my best!

Thanks for all the support, we're nearly at 2,000 views!

Jonathan.

Follow me on Twitter: @JWalsh97