So, matchday one of the Bundesliga is complete, with matchday two coming up. Most of the results were as expected, but there were a handful of matches that certainly surprised many, and one team in particular will be really determined to get back to winning ways to calm worried fans' fears.
Here's what you need to know ahead of matchday two.
Team news: Who's missing out on matchday two?
Here are some of the notable players who won't be able to feature for their respective sides:
- Bayern Munich: Jerome Boateng (illness), Leon Goretzka (Hamstring injury)
- Borussia Dortmund: Patrick Osterhage (Knee problems), Mateu Morey (Shoulder Injury), Luca Unbehaun (Knee Surgery)
- RB Leipzig: Jean-Kévin Augustin (Ankle Injury), Hannes Wolf (Fractured Leg), Dayot Upamecano (Knee Injury)
- Borussia M'Gladbach: Lars Stindl (Tibia Fracture), Jonas Hofmann (Torn Ligament), Tobias Strobl (Knee Problems), Torben Müsel (Knee Surgery), Julio Villalba (Muscle Injury)
- Schalke: Ozan Kabak (Foot Injury)
Stats and facts: What's at stake ahead of matchday two?
- Bayern will be looking to avoid going two matchdays without a win for the first time in a decade
- Schalke and Gladbach are the only teams who failed to score but didn't concede a goal on MD 1 (played to a scoreless stalemate)
Talking points ahead of matchday two
Can Bayern get back on track following surprise draw on matchday one? And is Bayern's decision not to bring in another full striker to help Lewandowski going to haunt them?
Although they didn't lose, it certainly felt like a defeat for Bayern Munich. As the reigning champions, Bayern Munich got to play the season opener on home turf and welcomed Hertha Berlin to the Allianz Arena on Friday evening. Although the visitors have managed to cause the Bavarian titans problems in the past, they were still viewed as the favorites to come out on top.
However, they had to come from behind twice and rely on Robert Lewandowski to bail them out - twice. And it raised some major questions about whether the team have enough attacking firepower to be fully competitive on all three fronts, especially now that veteran duo Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are no longer with the team - albeit their output drastically declined in their later years as well due to age and injuries.
They have brought in Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona to try to relieve some of the pressure on Lewandowski, as well as experienced winger Ivan Perisic for support but it will take some time for them to get settled in, and there's still no out-and-out back up no. 9 for the Polish star up front, either. Still, the transfer window hasn't closed just yet. Will die Roten make a late, late signing, or will they just roll the dice and stick with the players they have for their domestic and continental campaigns?
Another resounding start for Dortmund - will they be able to keep up the pace or will they crash and burn midway?
Still too early to tell, naturally, but it's good stuff from Dortmund once again, who cruised to a resounding 5-1 win over Augsburg as Bayern were stuttering to a two-all draw against Hertha. Fans will hope that die Schwarzgelben won't suffer the same fate midway through the season this time around, which saw them throw away a nine point advantage that allowed Bayern to catch up and eventually crush them 5-0 in Der Klassiker. Had Dortmund managed to keep up the pace, that 5-0 defeat in Der Klassiker would have not been so decisive and likely the title race would have had a different outcome last season.
One thing's for certain though - things are definitely going to be very fascinating in the Bundesliga this term as Dortmund have sent out a strong signal from the ouset. As to whether they will be able to keep it up remains to be seen, however, as Bayern are a very wily and determined opponent and have shown that once they get their affairs in order, they are unstoppable.
Bundesliga Matchday two listings
Here's all the matches taking place on matchday two:
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
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International Coverage:
Austria: Sky Sport Bundesliga 1, Sky Go Deutschland, Sky Sport Bundesliga 5
Canada: Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now
Germany: Sky Sport Bundesliga 1, Sky Go Deutschland, Sky Sport Bundesliga 5
Switzerland:
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
This match was not broadcast in United States
International Coverage:
Austria: Sky Sport Bundesliga 1, Sky Go Deutschland, Sky Sport Bundesliga 6
Canada: Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now
Germany: Sky Sport Bundesliga 1, Sky Go Deutschland, Sky Sport Bundesliga 6
Switzerland:
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.