Outside90’s Ari Papas selects the best performers from the second round of German Bundesliga action for our matchday three team of the week.
Timo Horn – FC Cologne
Timo Horn put in yet another outstanding display for FC Cologne as his team downed HSV Hamburg 2-1. Cologne were almost completely outgunned by their opponents, only managing six attempts on goal compared to Hamburg’s 17. The 22-year-old produced six fine saves from the top shelf to keep his side right in the game despite going a goal down. The front line for the Billy Goats rallied and pulled a win from almost nothing, but coach Peter Stoger knows that Timo Horn truly earned the three points for his team.
Marcel Schmelzer – Borussia Dortmund
Last season, Schmelzer looked out of sorts and many thought it was time for the Bundesliga veteran to move on. Thomas Tuchel’s miracle work, or so it seems, has brought Schmelzer’s form back from the brink and the 27-year-old looks not too dissimilar to when he won two Bundesliga titles with Dortmund three years ago. BVB looked out of sorts against Hertha Berlin despite the 3-1 win, with many of the players understandably tired from their Europa League fixture midweek. Schmelzer, however, was full of energy and involved in every attack down the left-wing, creating two crosses and galvanising attacks from a tired squad.
David Alaba – Bayern Munich
No defenders, no problem for FC Bayern. Medhi Benatia and Jerome Boateng were out through injury and suspension so Pep Guardiola had to improvise at home against Leverkusen. Die Roten played with no central defenders and instead deployed David Alaba in the unfamiliar position. The Austrian is usually an attack-minded wing-back but proved his versatility to the team by taking the mantle of a defensive stalwart. Alaba was crucial in Bayern’s build-up play from the back with 71 of his passes reaching a red shirt, which is quite an achievement against Leverkusen’s dogged pressing style. The Bayern youth product also made a crucial interception, nodding the ball off the line after Manuel Neuer misjudged a close-range shot and was quick to shut down every other Leverkusen attack.
Mats Hummels – Borussia Dortmund
Two appearances in a row in the team of the week for Hummels and he does not look like he will be slowing down. The German international looks like he might be returning to peak form with a wonderful performance against Hertha Berlin in Dortmund’s 3-1 win. Hertha were sitting deep with the score locked at 0-0 when striker Genki Haraguchi broke free of BVB’s back line to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Hummels raced back and somehow tackled the Japanese striker from behind, barely touching his ankles as the ball rolled out for a corner – a crucial interception that changed the game. The 26-year-old won over 90% of all challenges and scored an important opening goal for Die Schwarzgelb.
Christian Trasch – VfL Wolfsburg
The 27-year-old played a starring role in Wolfsburg’s 3-0 dismantling of Schalke. Despite scoring the opener, Bas Dost personally credited Trasch post-match with the assist and praised him for his efforts throughout the game. The wing-back earned his praise by creating six crosses throughout the game and winning over 50% of his challenges, playing a significant role in dominating the midfield for the Wolves.
Vieirinha – VfL Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg outclassed Schalke due mainly to their superiority in midfield. Vieirinha was the best on field for the Wolves and got involved in every attack down the right-flank. The Portuguese tore Schalke apart time and time again, floating in a total of five crosses throughout the game and maintaining an 82% passing accuracy.
Luiz Gustavo – VfL Wolfsburg
Gustavo’s domination in the midfield was astounding against Schalke. The Royal Blues never got a foothold in the game due to the midfielder’s synergy with Joshua Guilavogui. The 28-year-old had an almost impeccable passing accuracy, a whopping 98%. The Brazilian did commit a couple of fouls and earned himself a yellow card, but these are blips on a dominating midfield performance.
Julian Weigl – Borussia Dortmund
Yet again, the 19-year-old put in a supremely impressive display against Hertha Berlin. With his passing accuracy yet to fall below 90%, the young German was a true enforcer in the midfield. Making crucial interceptions and tackles against Hertha broke up their play and helped Dortmund erode their resilient midfield. Weigl’s partnership with Ilkay Gundogan looks to be truly prolific and adds yet another dimension to Dortmund’s sparkling attack.
Mathew Leckie – FC Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt are turning a few heads in the Bundesliga this season and their latest top flight match ended in a 1-0 win away to Augsburg. Mathew Leckie ensured all three points went back home with a belter to seal the deal. Leckie was fluid in attack, with 74% passing accuracy and three accurate crosses. The Australian looks set to be a key player in Die Schanzer’s attempt to stay in the top flight.
Thomas Muller – Bayern Munich
It was also a milestone event for Muller as he made his 200th appearance for the record champions. The 25-year-old celebrated by sending himself to the top of the scoring charts with a brace against Leverkusen. Bavarian to the core, Muller put aside transfer speculation to assure the crowd at the Allianz Arena where his loyalties lie.
Who scored a brace in his 200th Bundesliga appearance? (Hint: ??) #müllered #FCBayern pic.twitter.com/fatedpUxyN
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) August 29, 2015
Yoshinori Muto – FSV Mainz
FSV Mainz lost top scorer Shinji Okazaki in the transfer window but it looks as though they have found a fine replacement in Yoshinori Muto. The Japanese international opened his Bundesliga account with a scintillating brace against Hannover. The 24-year-old created chances as well as taking them and stamped his authority as a starting striker for Mainz.
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