Matchday 10 in the Bundesliga saw two unbeaten teams come head-to-head with each other as young Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann looked to upset the current league champions. Elsewhere, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to the starting XI for Borussia Dortmund, whilst Bayer Leverkusen needed to find their form once again.
GGFN’s Daniel Pinder brings you three talking points in today’s round-up.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang repays Thomas Tuchel
After being suspended by Borussia Dortmund for ‘internal reasons’, which later turned out to be arriving back late form a trip to Milan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang repaid the faith that Thomas Tuchel had shown in him with four goals against Hamburger SV.
The Gabon international scored his quickest ever goal in the Bundesliga – just four minutes into the game – before completing his hat-trick in the opening 27 minutes. Aubameyang was determined to prove a point after missing the Champions League tie against Sporting CP, which saw him add his fourth just after the restart.
It was always going to be a tough game for Hamburger SV – who had scored just twice in the league prior to Saturday’s meeting – but they did manage to get a goal back through Nicolai Müller. Although, it was never going to kick-start a comeback.
Aubameyang’s four goals against Hamburg now sees him tie Cologne’s Anthony Modeste with 11 Bundesliga goals this season.
Julian Nagelsmann’s Hoffenheim almost topple Bayern Munich
Carlo Ancelotti had already won four titles as a player by the time Hoffenheim manager, Julian Nagelsmann, was born – in 1987. Age aside, Nagelsmann has transformed the Sinsheim club into a formidable force, which has seen them remain unbeaten.
Kerem Demirbay opened the scoring in the first-half with a curling effort from outside the area, which found the top corner of Manuel Neuer’s net. The Hoffenheim playmaker has had a troubled time in his career – which saw him referee a girls football match after sexist remarks – but now that he is finally settling into this Hoffenheim side, we’re starting to see why Nagelsmann paid €2 million for his acquisition.
Hoffenheim certainly caused Bayern Munich problems, who were level after a Steven Zuber own goal. Three years ago, and this would have been a totally different result. Nagelsmann has got this side playing to a very high standard, which could well see them challenge for a place in Europe.
Press that button.. Mario Gomez finds the net!
Without a home win all season, Wolfsburg really needed three points in Freiburg. Mario Gomez opened the scoring with just his second goal of the season – but his 140th in the Bundesliga – before later doubling his tally midway through the second-half.
Gomez’ second of the afternoon put him ahead of Bayer Leverkusen’s Stefan Kießling for goals scored in the Bundesliga.
For Freiburg, had it not have been for Alexander Schwolow, then it could have been a much worse result for Christian Sreich’s players who failed to play their usual tempo.
FT Bundesliga Scores
Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 Darmstadt
Bayern Munich 1-1 Hoffenheim
Freiburg 0-3 Wolfsburg
Hamburg 2-5 Borussia Dortmund
Ingolstadt 0-2 Augsburg
