The first match-day was a pulsating one filled with surprises. In the Bundesliga, the ‘unexpected’ is always the order of the day.
Seven teams secured victory in nine matches on the opening match-day. Five of those games were won by a single goal. Only Bayern secured an emphatic victory. The other team to win by multiple goals was rather surprisingly Düsseldorf; however, their match against Augsburg was a close affair.
Often, it is found that viewers of other leagues mistake Bayer Leverkusen for Bayern Leverkusen. Both Bayern and Leverkusen as it so happens have experienced a treble of seconds. The alphabet ‘N’ nonetheless makes a world of a difference. For Bayern, winning is perfunctory; for Leverkusen, nowadays, winning is almost a luxury.
Both Bayern and Leverkusen started their respective campaigns against new-comers from the second division. Bayern was handed a novice in Bundesliga terms in Fürth and absolutely tore them apart. Leverkusen, as is in the script, took a lead but eventually lost to Frankfurt.
This week, Stuttgart will visit Bayern. Bayern of-course has signed Javi Martinez for reportedly a record breaking fee of 40 million euros. Martinez perhaps possesses a quality that ‘completes’ Bayern and will aid their lofty ambitions. Jupp Heynckes will now have the greatest of selection dilemmas he has had in his three separate spells with Bayern.
The biggest game, however, let’s not forget this week features Bremen and HSV in the Nörd derby. For HSV, the battle this season is to keep the clock ticking; this clock is a reminder to everyone that they are the only side to have participated in each and every one of the 50 editions of the Bundesliga.
Emergency signings in the form of Milan Badelj and Petr Jiracek have been made after a bunch of Chelsea reserves mashed in with some serious underperformers from every corner of the world (including Japan) produced a performance not worthy of Germany’s top flight. Bremen however will have their sights set on a victory after a promising performance against Dortmund.
Dortmund this week will travel to Nürnberg. Nürnberg will definitely have problems keeping the Dortmund attackers at bay thanks to the sale of Philipp Wollscheid to Leverkusen. Schalke will take on Augsburg, looking to make a winning start at home after an impressive draw against Hannover.
Hannover will travel to Wolfsburg who secured a victory last week in Stuttgart courtesy of a last minute goal by Bas Dost. Mainz will welcome Fürth while a jubilant Frankfurt will take on Hoffenheim.
Elsewhere, Fortuna Düsseldorf, after introducing Dani Schahin to the world of the Bundesliga, will take on Borussia Mönchengladbach. Düsseldorf unfortunately will have to play in front of a small crowd due to a ban imposed on them by the DFB for the first two home matches following chaotic scenes in their relegation play-off victory against Hertha.
Oh, and of-course, lest we forget, Bayer Leverkusen will take on Freiburg. They signed their number two keeper recently from a huge rival, Köln. Michael Rensing has joined them. Rensing incidentally came through the youth ranks at Bayern and starred for them as well until he was shipped out after the Klinsmann era.
We can’t really blame the fans for messing up Bayern and Bayer- can we?
Often, it is found that viewers of other leagues mistake Bayer Leverkusen for Bayern Leverkusen. Both Bayern and Leverkusen as it so happens have experienced a treble of seconds. The alphabet ‘N’ nonetheless makes a world of a difference. For Bayern, winning is perfunctory; for Leverkusen, nowadays, winning is almost a luxury.
Both Bayern and Leverkusen started their respective campaigns against new-comers from the second division. Bayern was handed a novice in Bundesliga terms in Fürth and absolutely tore them apart. Leverkusen, as is in the script, took a lead but eventually lost to Frankfurt.
This week, Stuttgart will visit Bayern. Bayern of-course has signed Javi Martinez for reportedly a record breaking fee of 40 million euros. Martinez perhaps possesses a quality that ‘completes’ Bayern and will aid their lofty ambitions. Jupp Heynckes will now have the greatest of selection dilemmas he has had in his three separate spells with Bayern.
The biggest game, however, let’s not forget this week features Bremen and HSV in the Nörd derby. For HSV, the battle this season is to keep the clock ticking; this clock is a reminder to everyone that they are the only side to have participated in each and every one of the 50 editions of the Bundesliga.
Emergency signings in the form of Milan Badelj and Petr Jiracek have been made after a bunch of Chelsea reserves mashed in with some serious underperformers from every corner of the world (including Japan) produced a performance not worthy of Germany’s top flight. Bremen however will have their sights set on a victory after a promising performance against Dortmund.
Dortmund this week will travel to Nürnberg. Nürnberg will definitely have problems keeping the Dortmund attackers at bay thanks to the sale of Philipp Wollscheid to Leverkusen. Schalke will take on Augsburg, looking to make a winning start at home after an impressive draw against Hannover.
Hannover will travel to Wolfsburg who secured a victory last week in Stuttgart courtesy of a last minute goal by Bas Dost. Mainz will welcome Fürth while a jubilant Frankfurt will take on Hoffenheim.
Elsewhere, Fortuna Düsseldorf, after introducing Dani Schahin to the world of the Bundesliga, will take on Borussia Mönchengladbach. Düsseldorf unfortunately will have to play in front of a small crowd due to a ban imposed on them by the DFB for the first two home matches following chaotic scenes in their relegation play-off victory against Hertha.
Oh, and of-course, lest we forget, Bayer Leverkusen will take on Freiburg. They signed their number two keeper recently from a huge rival, Köln. Michael Rensing has joined them. Rensing incidentally came through the youth ranks at Bayern and starred for them as well until he was shipped out after the Klinsmann era.
We can’t really blame the fans for messing up Bayern and Bayer- can we?
