Bundesliga

Category: Bundesliga

The Bundesliga, sometimes referred to as the Fußball-Bundesliga or 1. Bundesliga, is a professional association football league in Germany and the football league with the highest average stadium attendance worldwide. At the top of the German football league system, the Bundesliga is Germany’s primary football competition.

The Bundesliga is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga. Seasons run from August to May. Most games are played on Saturdays and Sundays, with a few games played during weekdays. All of the Bundesliga clubs qualify for the DFB-Pokal. The winner of the Bundesliga qualifies for the DFL-Supercup.

We were just getting comfortable, the Bundesliga has really started to heat up. Now we wait for the dreaded international break to be over. This weekend in the Bundesliga saw Dortmund hold their lead on top of the table, Bayern cruise to 3-0 win over Leverkusen with no center backs in their lineup. Mönchengladbach still have yet to win this year and head into the international break dead last in the Bundesliga. Here are some things to take away from this week’s action.

Leverkusen get Müllered

The clever hashtag used by the Bayern Munich’s twitter account was very much on display on Saturday. The German goal scoring machine added two more to his repertoire in a comfortable 3-0 win over Bayer 04. Müller now has five goals on the year and leads the league. This was Müller’s 200th Bundesliga appearance and he said in an interview with Bundesliga.com that Bayern was “a shark tank,” a very fitting description. Thomas had the opportunity to grab his third goal on the year but graciously all 791260_gallery_big owed Dutchmen Arjen Robben to take a penalty. Robben made no mistake. Bayern look well on their way to grabbing their fourth Bundesliga title.

Dortmund Continue to Roll

When I say “roll” I mean steamroll. Dortmund are on fire as of late. Thomas Tuchel has taken this team by force, they have not lost yet under their new man. Dortmund breezed past Hertha this weekend with a 3-1 win over the Berlin club. This is also coming off an impressive showing against Odds of Norway in a Europa league qualifier during the week. Dortmund are still on top of the Bundesliga, but only on goal difference, as Bayern are right behind them 791403_gallery_big . It seems Dortmund have forgotten about last season and will hope to carry their momentum after the international break.

Surprising Ingolstadt

In my Bundesliga season preview I did not give new boys FC Ingolstadt much of a chance. They are proving me wrong. Sitting in the seventh place going into the international break, the Bavarian club is sitting pretty at the moment. In an all Bavarian matchup, Ingolstadt edged by Augsburg 1-0 through a peach of a strike from Australian Mathew Leckie. Ingolstadt have improved to 2-0-1 on the year and will look to maintain their position in the upper half of the table. I really don’t see them staying up though. SC Paderborn were on top of the Bundesliga early last season, and they ended up in the 2. Bundesliga. We shall see with Ingolstadt. 791202_gallery_big

Bad Luck Borussia

While Borussia Dortmund are flying high at the moment, the other Borussia, Mönchengladbach are still looking for their first win. After losing 2-1 to Werder, Lucien Favre is probably shaking his head at the moment. Gladbach have the Champions League on their plate this year and it does not help to be struggling domestically. In the loss against Werder, new signing Aron Johannsson score his first goal for his new club. Converting cooly from the penalty spot. Gladbach are last in the Bundesliga and the international break can potentially be seen as blessing in disguise for them.

Undefeated Darmstadt

Darmstadt have yet to lose in their Bundesliga campaign, but they have also not won yet. Darmstadt are trying to one up FC Köln’s record last season of 11 draws. Darmstadt played to a 0-0 draw against 1899 Hoffenheim. Hoffenheim had 15 shots directed at goal, yet only two on target. Something to work on. Darmstadt seemed happy to lay back in defence and only had 30% of the possession that game. Hoffenheim pushed late and had Darmstadt not cleared their lines properly in the 90th minute, Hoffenheim would have gotten their first win. Darmstadt sit 12th in the Bundesliga and have only scored three goals in three games. 791166_gallery_big They have added a wealth of new signings, so maybe they just have to gel but despite having not lost yet, Darmstadt would like to get a win under their belt.