With Bayern Munich travelling to RB Leipzig, a repeat of the DFL Supercup, Borussia Dortmund making a difficult trip to Hoffenheim and both Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart looking to continue their excellent form, there’s plenty to look out for heading into Matchday 6 of the Bundesliga. Here’s three storylines to keep an eye on.
Serhou Guirassy, Harry Kane and Victor Boniface to continue their goalscoring form
Harry Kane’s first Bundesliga hat-trick against Bochum last weekend put Bayern Munich to the top of the table on Saturday afternoon but while the Englishman is seemingly adapting to life in Bavaria with seven goals, it’s Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy that’s grabbing all of the headlines. Once of FC Köln, Guirassy joined Stuttgart on loan from Rennes last season before the club made the move permanent. With 10 goals after five Bundesliga games, Guirassy is the first player to hit double figures across the European leagues.
With six goals, which have come in three braces, Victor Boniface is also making a name for himself at Bayer Leverkusen following his move from Union SG in the summer. Die Werkself missed a focal point in attack last season with the absence of Patrik Schick through injury, but the Nigerian forward adds a new look to Leverkusen’s attack, and has that aurora of a Didier Drogba about him. With physique, pace and clinical finishing, Boniface will challenge Kane and Guirassy for the Torjäger.
Five teams remain winless after the opening five games
For the first time in Bundesliga history, five teams remain winless after the opening five league games of the season – it’s a stat that no team wants. Bochum, Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Köln, Darmstadt and Mainz will all be wishing that the season could restart after their horrendous start to the current campaign.
With Mainz hosting high-flying Bayer Leverkusen and Guirassy returning to former side Köln with Stuttgart this weekend, their winless streak could go on for a little longer. There’s also an early six-pointer in the relegation battle this season as Bochum host Borussia Mönchengladbach, while Darmstadt host Werder Bremen.
Are Stuttgart a surprise package?
Stuttgart is one of Germany’s biggest clubs and they’re one of four teams to win the Bundesliga since 2007. But no one could have predicted their start to the 2023/24 campaign. Sitting one point behind joint leaders Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart deserve their place in the European places, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see VfB challenging the upper-echelons of the Bundesliga this season.
They’re an incredibly well ran club and since the appointment of Sebastian Hoeneß towards the end of last season, have lost just three of their 18 games under the German. Players are buying into his philosophy while Stuttgart’s recruitment with a minimal budget as been executed to perfection. There’s certainly a feel good factor around the club again.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
