Bayern Munich remain top of the Bundesliga following their 4-0 thrashing of Hoffenheim but there remains plenty of talking points throughout the league as the ninth matchday reaches its conclusion.
1 | Mark van Bommel becomes the first manager to be sacked in this season’s Bundesliga. After a fantastic start, the Dutchman hadn’t won a league game in six. After leading the way after the first three games, Wolfsburg dropped all the way down in ninth. The final nail in the coffin for Van Bommel was a 0-2 home defeat to in-form Freiburg. Many might see the decision as rash but it’s clear Wolfsburg need a change in fortune. Perhaps a new manager will bring such luck.
2 | Borussia Dortmund had eight first team players out injured for their trip to Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday but managed to defeat their opponents 3-1. It was always going to be a tough ask given Erling Haaland is reportedly out until December and summer arrival Donyell Malen firing blanks, but goals from Emre Can, Mats Hummels and Jude Bellingham was enough to keep Die Schwarzgelben to within one point of Bayern Munich. Bellingham’s goal a stroke of masterclass after the Englishman picked up the ball just outside the area, dribbling past three Arminia Bielefeld players before lifting the ball over Stefan Ortega. A star in the making.
3 | Steffen Baumgart’s FC Köln came from behind to draw 2-2 against local rivals Bayer Leverkusen. Köln found themselves 0-2 down after two goals in as many minutes in the first half. Many fans had criticised Baumgart’s approach to the game which didn’t seem to work against tougher opposition. However, Köln rallied in the second half and found the equaliser ten minutes from time. The Billy Goats have improved greatly under Baumgart and it’s this type of mentality that Baumgart has bought to the role.
4 | Hertha Berlin recorded their first clean sheet in 2021/22 as they beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-0 in the capital. Now unbeaten in two matches, Hertha move above Gladbach in the table and up to 10th. After defending for much of the game on Saturday, the home side found the net through Marco Richter who now has two goals in consecutive league games. Despite not scoring in his previous 11 matches, the striker now appears to be hitting form as The Old Lady of German football slowly claims up the Bundesliga table.
5 | Bochum played out the perfect game plan as they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2:0. It’s back-to-back wins and clean sheets for Thomas Reis’ side as their survival hopes gain more momentum. The game got off to a frantic start when the hosts led from the third minute. Bochum goalkeeper, Riemann, then saved a penalty in the 12th to keep his side ahead. The game was done and dusted in extra time when Sebastian Polter found the net. The crucial win leaves Bochum 14th as they leapfrog Frankfurt who slip to 15th.
