Six of the best for Bayern
Mainz travelled to the Allianz Arena knowing they were in for a long afternoon but took a surprise lead when Jean-Paul Boetius got on the end of Ronael Pierre-Gabriel’s cross to head beyond Manuel Neuer. Bayern dominated thereafter though and, after half an hour of probing, finally levelled through Benjamin Pavard, who volleyed home an Ivan Perisic lofted cross. The hosts waited until first half stoppage time to take the lead but boy was it worth the wait. Robert Lewandowski was clipped 25 yards from goal and David Alaba lifted the resultant free kick over the wall and into the top right corner.
After the break, Pavard turned provider as he delivered a pinpoint cross that Perisic headed powerfully into the net despite Florian Muller’s best attempt to parry it over. On 64 Kingsley Coman made the three points safe when he stabbed in Joshua Kimmich’s corner for 4-1. Two goals in quick succession made it six goals and six scorers for Bayern as Lewandowski netted a deflected effort and Alphonso Davies profited from a defensive mix up to ensure the last 10 minutes were a breeze.
Final score: Bayern Munich 6-1 Mainz
Werner hat-trick sees off Monchengladbach
RB Leipzig ran out 3-1 winners over hosts Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday evening thanks to a clinical display from star man Timo Werner.
Leipzig came into the game with a 100% record and that looked set to continue when Werner netted either side of the break; the first was slipped through the legs of Yann Sommer following a clever ball from Emil Forsberg and the second was a burst of raw pace that saw him clear of the Monchengladbach backline and a cool finish to the bottom corner.
Breel Embolo gave the hosts a glimmer of hope with a close range header in the 90th minute but a calamitous defensive header presented Werner with one final opportunity and he duly accepted.
Final score: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-3 RB Leipzig
A historic day for Union Berlin
Union Berlin won their ever first Bundesliga match when they hosted Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Union took the lead through a well worked corner routine in the 23rd minute; Christopher Trimmel drilled a low ball into the box where it was met by Marius Bulter, who had peeled off his man, in emphatic fashion leaving Roman Burki in the Dortmund goal little chance.
The home fans should have known it was far from over though, Dortmund have come from behind in both their games so far this season and within two minutes Paco Alcacer was applying the finishing touches to a cutting move involving Marco Reus and Jadon Sancho to level.
Shortly after the break Dortmund found themselves behind again. Seb Andersson was denied by Burki but the loose ball ran to Bulter who precisely turned in for his brace and with 75 minutes on the clock it was Andersson’s turn to get on the score sheet. Dortmund, who were drawn in the group of death in the Champions League draw on Thursday, looked fragile from set pieces all day and, after failing to clear, Union worked the ball back into the danger zone and Andersson coolly finished.
Final score: Union Berlin 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
Werder Bremen edge five goal thriller
Werder Bremen continued their unbeaten start with a 3-2 victory over Augsburg meaning the visitors are still after their first win. Bremen took the lead after just five minutes with a goal on the break; Augsburg lost possession on the edge of the Bremen box and three passes later Yuya Osako was in on goal and he slotted home. Seven minutes later Augsburg winger Ruben Vargas made it 1-1 with a glancing header but on 20 another ball over the top caught the away side napping and Josh Sargent dinked over the advancing keeper, Tomas Koubek, and collected the other side to roll into the empty net.
Despite losing Stephan Lichtsteiner to two yellow cards on 34 it was Augsburg who struck next with Vargas grabbing his second of the game from close range immediately after the restart. Forgetting the 2-2 score line, Bremen were in control and in the 67th minute they scored what proved to be the winner when Osako connected fully with Marco Friedl’s delivery from the left.
Final score: Werder Bremen 3-2 Augsburg
Two own goals help Schalke to win
Schalke and Hertha Berlin locked horns at the VELTINS Arena with both sides on one point from two games played. The game was being evenly contested but the home side were gifted the lead when Niklas Stark turned Daniel Caligiuri’s cut back into his own net. Just two minutes after the restart, Schalke doubled their lead Guido Burgstaller beat Rune Jarstein but his attempt looked to be going wide until Karim Rekik bundled into his own net.
After Hertha correctly had a goal ruled out, the home side made things safe. A neat interchange of passes looked to have been wasted with a low cross behind everyone but Jonjoe Kenny appeared from nowhere to lash home a daisy cutting drive from distance.
Final score: Schalke 3-0 Hertha Berlin
Koln collect first win
Freiburg were looking to continue their winning start to the season and when Koln had a goal ruled out for a foul in the build up and then Rafael Czichos shinned into his own goal from Christian Gunter’s cross it looked like it could be another good day for the hosts. After the break though, Koln made it 1-1 with Anthony Modeste planting a powerful header in off the bar – the assist provided by Ellyes Skhiri – and in injury time Skhiri won the match for Koln. The Tunisian picked up the ball on halfway and worked his way into the box before clinically rifling past Alexander Schwolow.
Final score: Freiburg 1-2 Koln
Frankfurt come from behind to win
Frankfurt hosted Fortuna Dusseldorf on Sunday with both sides having made an indifferent start to the campaign. The away side took the lead on 36, a quick throw caught the Frankfurt defence out of shape and Rouwen Hennings was left with a free header. Fortuna were guilty of their own slack marking as the hour mark approached though with Bas Dost the lucky recipient allowed to head in with ease at the near post and with just five minutes remaining Goncalo Paciencia finished into the bottom corner from six yards to seal three points for Frankfurt.
Final score: Frankfurt 2-1 Fortuna Dusseldorf
Paderborn end Wolfsburg’s perfect start
The form book had this match down as a home win; after two games Wolfsburg were flying high with six points whilst their visitors, Paderborn, were still searching for their first point. Soccer isn’t played on paper though and in the 12th minute Cauly Souza scored with a decent hit from 18 yards. Paderborn held their lead until the 56th minute when Josip Brekalo netted with an equally good strike from the edge of the area. All in all, a point a piece was a fair outcome.
Final score: Wolfsburg 1-1 Paderborn
Leverkusen and Hoffenheim in bore draw
Leverkusen played host to Hoffenheim looking to continue their perfect start to the season. Leverkusen dominated the match but despite 76% of the possession and 20 shots they only hit the target twice and failed to stretch Oliver Baumann in the Hoffenheim goal.
Final score: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Hoffenheim
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