Outside90’s Ari Papas selects the standout performers from the 2015-16 season of Bundesliga action for our Team of the Season.
Oliver Baumann – Goalkeeper – Hoffenheim
It was, of course, Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer who collected the most clean sheets of the season, but the incredible role that Oliver Baumann played for his team is undeniable. Hoffenheim had a total of three managers this campaign, losing two due to sacking and illness, leaving the club in the dire straits of a relegation battle. Baumann was Hoffenheim’s only truly consistent player this season, starting 33 of the 34 matches and bailing his side out on numerous occasions. While his clean sheet count is not as easy reading as Neuer’s, his effect on the overall defence of his team was incredible as Die Kraichgauer narrowly escaped relegation by a single point.
Marcel Risse – Right-back – FC Cologne
Cologne enjoyed a season comfortably in the mid-table with a few whispers of relegation that were a set aside with consistent performances throughout the 34 matches of the Bundesliga. One of their most dependable defenders was Marcel Risse, who played 33 of those contests. The 26-year-old won, on average, three tackles and two interceptions per game, also scoring three times and assisted five other goals. It was a well-rounded run for Risse and his club, one which should see them in a good position to aim for European football in the upcoming season.
Aytac Sulu – Central-defence – SV Darmstadt
Even though Aytac Sulu’s side conceded 54 goals throughout the season, the effect that the captain had on leading Darmstadt to safety was extraordinary. The 30-year-old only missed a single Bundesliga game as he had an average of two tackles, three interceptions and six clearances per match. Interestingly, Sulu’s height and physical prowess was used effectively in set pieces as he scored seven goals for his side – making him Darmstadt’s second highest scorer of 2015-16. The Darmstadt captain had it all, goals and defensive ability, making him one of the most significant defenders of the season as the club escaped the drop in their first time around back in the top-flight.
Jonathan Tah – Central-defence – Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen had an up and down season which saw them wallow in mid-table before making a triumphant come-back to steal third spot with a ferocious run of form. One of the keys to their strong finish was defensive solidity, conceding only 40 goals and proving to be the third best defence in the competition behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Jonathan Tah was a revelation this season, as the 20-year-old played a crucial part in Leverkusen’s backline with 29 appearances. The German youngster had an average of one tackle, three interceptions and four clearances per match, showing great promise for the future.
Marcel Schmelzer – Left-back – Borussia Dortmund
When Thomas Tuchel took over at Dortmund he brought in Joo-Ho Park from Mainz to rotate with Marcel Schmelzer on the left-back position. However, he did not have much opportunity to do so as Schmelzer’s consistent performances earned him a starting spot for the majority of the season, starting 22 games. The 29-year-old was one of BVB’s most consistent players, with an average of two tackles and interceptions per game. The German was a constant attacking force as well as he assisted four goals, celebrating his fine form by signing a new contract with Dortmund until 2021 and many are expecting him to take the armband following Mats Hummels’ move to Bayern.
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Right-wing – Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund’s fantastic turnaround from last season is personified with Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s unbelievable form in the 2015-16 season. It is extraordinary how the Armenian has turned around his dreadful form from 2014-15 with some help from new manager Thomas Tuchel. The 27-year-old is one of Europe’s top providers, and is the Bundesliga’s top in this category with 15 assists on top of 11 goals. Mkhitaryan played 28 Bundesliga games this season and has been named the German player of the year by media outlet Deutsche Welle, also being a front-runner to win the official award.
Arturo Vidal – Defensive-midfield – Bayern Munich
Arturo Vidal returned to the Bundesliga after a trophy-laden stint with Juventus as he signed with Bayern Munich after the 2014-15 season. The Chilean came to his new side coming off a fantastic stint with Juventus and Chile in the Copa America, but initially did not live up to expectations. Many Bayern supporters were not in favour of the transfer yet the 28-year-old quickly turned perceptions around with consistent and stunning performances. The midfielder made an average of three tackles and one interception per game and was a crucial cog in Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka system. He also scored four goals (with a few stunners) and assisted five. Vidal was brought in following the departure of Bastian Schweinsteiger and he showed this season that he can live up to the great expectations of Bayern fans.
Thomas Muller – Attacking-midfield – Bayern Munich
Thomas Muller is one of Bayern’s most prized players and he proved why with one of his best seasons yet at the Bavarian club. The German is renowned for his ability to find space and was a constant threat for all of Bayern’s opponents. The 27-year-old scored 20 goals and assisted five more, but what was more destructive was his incredible partnership with striker Robert Lewandowski. The pair accounted for 57% of Bayern’s goals for the season – an amazing stat for two players. Overall it has been a wonderful season for Muller, who is in brilliant form heading into Euro 2016.
Leroy Sane – Left-wing – FC Schalke
Leroy Sane is another one of Germany’s brilliant youth products to have a breakout season in the Bundesliga. The 20-year-old has had an astounding season which attracted the likes of Premier League giants all in search of his signature. Sane made 23 appearances and, despite some bouts of poor form, he scored eight goals and registered six assists. Some of the German’s finishes this season have been nothing short of spectacular, showing incredible dribbling skills and accuracy. If he can maintain this form into 2016-17, then Sane could be one of the next big stars in both German and world football.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Striker – Borussia Dortmund
Aubameyang is another Dortmund player who had a meteoric rise to form following a terrible 2014-15. The Gabonese international was one of the hottest players of 2015, leading Europe’s scoring charts and winning African player of the year ahead of Yaya Toure. The 26-year-old could not stop scoring in the first-half of the season as he and his teammates tore apart Bundesliga defences. Unfortunately, he had a slight dip in form in the latter stages that saw him lose ground with Lewandowski for the top scorer’s prize, finishing with 25 goals. Aubameyang’s overall contribution to Dortmund throughout the season was extraordinary, as his side finished the highest scoring team in the league.
Robert Lewandowski – Striker – Bayern Munich
Lewandowski is no stranger to topping the scoring charts in the Bundesliga, but in the 2015=16 season the Polish striker reached incredible new heights. Lewandowski was the Bundesliga’s top scorer with 30 goals, making him the first foreign player to reach this target and the first Bundesliga player to hit that mark since 1974. The striker formed an unstoppable partnership with Muller that saw them score the majority of Bayern’s goals. Chief among the 28-year-old ’s achievements this season was an incredible individual performance that saw him break four world records, scoring five goals in nine minutes against Wolfsburg. It was Lewandowski’s best season yet as he looks forward to taking Poland as far as possible in the upcoming Euro 2016.
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