Matchday 9 in the Bundesliga exceeded all expectations and further emphasised why the German top flight is one of the most entertaining across Europe. In total, matchday 9 provided us with 42 goals (a record so far this season), 6 red cards, and a whole lot of action in between. Here are your winners and losers from matchday 9 in the Bundesliga.
Winners
Bayern Munich
When Bayern went down to ten men early on against SV Darmstadt, it appeared that we would have a good game on our hands. However, before halftime was sounded, Darmstadt themselves had two players shown red! Bayern were ruthless in the second period and for the first time in the Bundesliga, scored 8 second-half goals. Harry Kane got his first Bundesliga and Bayern hat-trick, with the pick of bunch a David Beckham-esc shot from his own half. Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané both scored a brace with Thomas Müller also helping himself to a goal. The massive win leaves Bayern in second place ahead of Der Klassiker in matchday 10.
RB Leipzig
When Leipzig faced FC Köln on Saturday evening, they would have been expected to get the three points. However, not many would have predicted such a one-sided affair. Marco Rose’s side had the game wrapped up by half-time as they led 4-0. 3 of the goals came after the 40th minute and completely dismantled any chance Köln had of getting back into the game. It’s an important win for the Saxons. Not only for overall morale but in terms of the league standings. Though they may not be content with being 5th right now, the victory keeps them just three points away from second. Leipzig have shown that they have what it takes to compete with Bayern already this season. They may just be going under the radar slightly right now and that’s something they should cherish.
SV Werder Bremen
When Bremen beat Union Berlin 2-0 on Saturday, it seemed most people were looking at Union and their current poor run of form. However, don’t take anything away from Ole Werner’s side. This is was a hard-fought win and a massive one at that. Bremen enjoyed a good first season back in the Bundesliga last campaign but they’re aware that they’ll have to up their game again if they’re to survive what many call “second-season syndrome.” It’s wins like this in front of a home crowd that can really galvanise a season. Bremen went in at the break with perhaps slightly less of the ball. However, they mostly dominated in the second half and deserved their second. Granted, Union’s job was made much harder when Rani Khedira was shown red on the hour mark. The win moves Bremen above Union and into 12th on 9 points. What’s more, it was their first clean sheet in 6 matches.
Honourable winners this weekend also include TSG Hoffenheim winning away at VfB Stuttgart(2-3), Augsburg winning against VfL Wolfsburg(3-2), and Bayer Leverkusen continuing their amazing start by beating SC Freiburg (2-1).
Losers
Borussia Dortmund
After what was arguably their best display of the season in midweek against Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund were all at sea for large parts of their game against Eintracht Frankfurt. The Eagles raced into a 2-0 lead and can consider themselves unlucky that they weren’t awarded a penalty before BVB got back into the game just before the halftime whistle. On the one hand, you have to give Edin Terzić’s side credit that they didn’t lie down. They got themselves back into the not once but twice as they drew the game 3-3. However, if BVB wants to have a chance of winning something this season, they can’t keep being so inconsistent. They perhaps got away with one this weekend but at some point, such displays will catch up with them. One thing is for sure, if they turn up like they did against Frankfurt this weekend against Bayern, they could be on the end of another Bavarian battering.
Union Berlin
It’s now 10 consecutive losses in all competitions for Union Berlin. The Champions League isn’t providing a good distraction and the Berliners have slipped all the way to 15th in the Bundesliga. Following the defeat to Bremen on the weekend, the situation appears all the more bleak for Urs Fischer’s side. Credit to the Union fans who are providing unwavering support to both the team and their manager. The Union faithful understand the situation and it isn’t one which is new to them. They will continue to make their support felt, it’s just up to the players to get themselves out of trouble. Union face Stuttgart in the DFB Pokal in midweek before another tough test against Frankfurt on matchday 10.
FC Köln
Following on from their derby day win against Borussia Monchengladbach on matchday 9, you felt it could have been a turning point in Köln’s season. It’s not that they failed to get a result at Leipzig, it’s a tough place to go, however, it was how they lost. After 45 minutes, the game as a competition was over. It’s the constant individual mistakes and lack of defensive awareness that is ultimately costing Köln. This is something that we haven’t really seen under Steffen Baumgart during his time in the cathedral city, but his side have major problems. This lack of defensive awareness is perhaps summed up in Leipzig’s third goal when Benjamin Henrichs was given the freedom to pick out David Ruam who had completely lost his man at the back post. No one attempted to stop the cross and others caught ball-watching. Köln are in for a long and tough season.
GGFN | Jamie Allen
