The Bundesliga returned following the international break with Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen, and Niko Kovac’s side would throw away a two-goal lead in the final 10 minutes of the game to draw 2-2 and bring to an end their 100% start to the season.
Saturday afternoon saw Augsburg host Bayern Munich in a Bavarian ‘derby’, Hoffenheim played Hamburg, Stuttgart travelled to Paderborn, Mainz were against Bayer Leverkusen, and Union Berlin played Elvesberg.
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Here are the three things we learnt:
There is no doubt about what Manuel Neuer has achieved in his career, and his status as one of, if not the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the game. However, it is safe to say now – he is past it.
His performances in the summer for Germany also showed that he was on the decline. While his early performances in the Bundesliga have not exactly filled people with confidence, today’s game best highlighted that.
Augsburg opened the scoring within eight seconds (a new Bundesliga record) because of Neuer’s poor attempt to play the ball out, and it ultimately hit Robin Fellhauer, and the midfielder would ultimately score from it. Then, in the second half, he poorly parried the ball into the path of Rodrigo Ribeiro, which allowed Augsburg to restore their lead and make it 2-1.
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A late goal from Nathanial Brown would save Bayern’s (and Neuer’s) blushes.
As it is increasingly looking like this will be the 40-year-old’s final season as a professional, it may make sense to play Jonas Urbig more, especially if Neuer’s performances may cost Bayern more points and games throughout the season.
Before the international break, Hamburg were likely one of the teams to be worried about, especially after conceding 10 goals in two games and finding themselves in the Bundesliga relegation zone. However, following the contract extension of Merlin Polzin, they have now turned a corner. First, they beat 1.FC Köln before the break, then, coming from 2-1 down to beat Hoffenheim 3-2 away from home.
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The win means they now find themselves in 11th, and they also now have a somewhat favourable set of fixtures on the horizon too. Another positive from the win will be Terem Moffi’s equaliser. It is the Nigerian’s first goal for Hamburg in the Bundesliga, and as the new signings settle in, HSV should get better.
Whereas Hoffenheim seem to be slipping backwards. After spending big in the summer, they now find themselves 17th and with only one win. To add to their struggles, they also still need to play in the Europa League.
Last season, it is safe to say that Leverkusen were neither good nor a fun team to watch. This season, however, while the jury is still out on whether they are actually any good under Carles Martinez, they are fun again, and that is best shown by their 4-3 win away at Mainz.
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Within 10 minutes, die Werkself took a two-goal lead through Robert Andrich and Patrik Schick. But in the first half, within the space of 10 minutes, they threw away that two-goal lead when Anthony Caci scored twice for Mainz. In the second half, within 10 minutes again, Jarell Quansah and Moussa Diaby (with his first Bundesliga goal since his return) made it 4-2.
Then Benedict Hollerbach scored in the 92nd minute to set up a nervy ending for Leverkusen.
Die Werkself now find themselves fourth in the Bundesliga, with the second best attack in the top flight too.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
