There was plenty to talk about in the Bundesliga on Saturday, as the five Konferenz games provided 19(!!) goals. Jack Grimse breaks it down.
Borussia Dortmund 4-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach:
The Borussia Derby got off to a fast start, with both teams scoring before there were any other goals across the league. Borussia Mönchengladbach took the lead after six minutes when Marc Bartra’s attempt at a clearing header went no further than the edge of the penalty area, dropping straight to Raffael, who finished with composure. No sooner had the replay of Gladbach’s opener finished playing that Dortmund had scored at the other end, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang added to his league-leading goal tally. Lukasz Piszczek made it 2-1 after 15 minutes. Goals in the second half from Ousmane Dembélé and Aubameyang (now on 15 goals for the season) sealed the win for Thomas Tuchel’s side. Christian Pulisic got on for 12 minutes at the end of the match, but didn’t score or assist any goals.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1-1 SC Freiburg:
The worst start to a season for 10 years looks as if it will continue for Bayer Leverkusen. Freiburg went in front half an hour in as Janik Haberer opened his Bundesliga account for the season. Right on the hour mark, Hakan Çalhanoglu scored his fourth goal of the campaign to bring Roger Schmidt’s side back to 1-1. Wendell won a penalty for the Werkself in the 87th minute, but Chicharito hit it low and straight at keeper Alexander Schwolow, who saved with a fantastic reactionary kick of the right boot. Roger Schmidt may be on the hot seat after this one.
VfL Wolfsburg 2-3 Hertha BSC:
Hertha came from behind twice and spurred on to win this match. Borja Mayoral broke the deadlock just 12 minutes in. Four minutes after that, Martin Plattenhardt got Hertha back on level terms from a set piece, the fourth direct free kick he’s scored in his last 15 attempts. Then, just two minutes later, Wolfsburg had regained the lead! With 20 minutes remaining, summer signing Alexander Esswein once again brought Hertha back. Wolfsburg went down to ten men, then proceeded to give away a penalty in the 90th minute, which Salomon Kalou cooly converted. Big three points for Pál Dárdai’s side.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 4-0 1. FC Köln:
Cologne really got thumped for the first time of the season as Hoffenheim convincingly maintained their unbeaten run. Sandro Wagner pounced on a rebound off the crossbar to open the scoring, adding another goal in the second half. His strikes bookended a Jeremy Toljan goal, and Mark Uth tacked on another for Achtzehn in the dying embers of the match.
Werder Bremen 2-1 FC Ingolstadt:
In search of some breathing room near the wrong end of the table, this was a classic relegation six-pointer. Max Kruse’s first goal in a Werder Bremen shirt provided the home side with a rare lead, but Markus Suttner curled in a free kick to level it back up. With 15 minutes remaining, Bremen turned up the pressure and Fin Bartels was able to prod the ball into the back of the net after a scramble in the area.
