Outside90’s Ari Papas selects the standout performers from the latest round of Bundesliga action for our Team of the Week.
Koen Casteels – Goalkeeper – VfL Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg condemned VfB Stuttgart to the German second division with a 3-1 victory on the final matchday. Koen Casteels was one of the Wolves’ key performers in their victory, as he made five saves throughout the match to restrict Stuttgart to a single goal. The victory brings a happy close to a disappointing season for Wolfsburg, as last season’s runners-up now see themselves finishing eighth and without any European football next season.
Marcel Schafer – Left-back – VfL Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg left one of their best performances of the season until last with a 3-1 win over Stuttgart. Marcel Schafer had an outstanding presence on the field, both defensively and when going forward. The 31-year-old won all of his aerial duels and had a passing success rate of 80%. It was a fantastic effort that saw Wolfsburg end their underwhelming season on a high.
Papy Djilobodji – Central-defence – Werder Bremen
Bremen pulled off a brilliant escape from relegation on the final day of Bundesliga action with a thrilling 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Die Werderaner were outstanding on the night as they had 15 shots on goal compared to Frankfurt’s four and Papy Djilobodji maintained the defence by winning 90% of his aerial duels and challenges. The match drew to a close and Bremen knew they needed nothing less than a win to haul themselves out of a relegation playoff spot. A last ditch free=kick led to a scrappy goal in the 88th minute, as Djilobodji poked home the winner from close range. The result sees Bremen completely safe for next season, but in turn condemns Frankfurt to a relegation playoff.
Joel Matip – Central-defence – FC Schalke
Schalke snatched a Europa League spot on the final Bundesliga matchday with an emphatic 4-1 win over Hoffenheim. In particular, Joel Matip had a good showing in defence as he played his last game in Germany before his move to Liverpool FC on a free transfer this summer. The 24-year-old won 90% of his tackles as he kept the attacking talents of Kevin Volland and Mark Uth away from Schalke’s goal. The defender also assisted his side’s second goal of the night to put them on course for the three points.
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Nico Elvedi – Right-back – Borussia Monchengladbach
Borussia Monchengladbach’s incredible season has finally drawn to a close as they secured a UEFA Champions League playoff spot on matchday 34 with a 2-0 win over Darmstadt. Die Fohlen had a tough task ahead of them to try and break down a resilient opposition side and had extra motivation, knowing that they needed at least a draw in order to play in the continent’s showcase competition next season. One of their key players was Nico Elvedi, who won 75% of his defensive challenges and maintained a passing success rate of 95%. The result sees Gladbach complete their turnaround from a relegation battle in the early weeks of the Bundesliga into Champions League qualification, with new head coach Andre Schubert at the helm.
Marco Reus – Left-wing – Borussia Dortmund
It was a low stakes game between Dortmund and FC Cologne, but the Black and Yellows were forced to work a little harder to ensure that they finish the season unbeaten at home in a 2-2 draw. With second place already ensured, BVB played with a relaxed attitude that saw them take the lead. By halftime, however, they looked hapless as they conceded two goals and were in danger of tarnishing their perfect record at the Westfalenstadion. Dortmund had not scored from a direct free-kick since Robert Lewandowski’s effort on Matchday 34 in the 2013-14 season and this bizarre drought finally ended, as Marco Reus salvaged a point with a fantastic set piece.
Mario Gotze – Central-midfield – Bayern Munich
After a bitterly disappointing season for the World Cup winner, Mario Gotze finally showed what he is capable of with a brilliant performance in Bayern’s 3-1 win over Hannover. The young German had brilliant flashes of dribbling and attacking skill, taking four shots on goal and scoring twice. The 23-year-old had a passing success rate of 83%, yet despite the promising display Gotze’s future is still up in the air, meaning that this may have been his final Bundesliga game for Bayern.
Michael Gregoritsch – Central-midfield – Hamburg SV
After a relegation threat earlier in the season, Hamburg picked themselves up to finish a respectable 10th place as they rounded off 2015-16 with a 3-1 in against Augsburg. The oldest club in the Bundesliga showed why they deserved to stay in Germany’s top-flight, with a brilliant come from behind win orchestrated by Michael Gregoritsch. The 22-year-old was spellbinding, scoring twice and assisting Hamburg’s other goal. Gregoritsch’s fantastic display was enough to see them overturn an early one goal deficit and seal a wonderful final victory for the campaign.
Leroy Sane – Right-wing – FC Schalke
Leroy Sane has been one of Schalke’s shining stars in what has been an underwhelming season for the Royal Blues. The youngster was brilliant in a-1 win over Hoffenheim and showed the supporters that there is hope heading into the new season. The youngster bamboozled the opposition defence with tricky footwork and finished off his season with a classy goal to add to his collection.
Anthony Modeste – Striker – FC Cologne
Cologne were up against the strongest home side in the Bundesliga on the final day, but managed a fair 2-2 draw. The visitors had to contend with a meagre 20% possession throughout the game, yet they worked with what they had to frustrate Dortmund. Anthony Modeste caused endless problems for Mats Hummels and Sokratis, as he won all of his aerial duels and out-muscled the two defenders on a number of occasions. The striker brought his side level with a towering header and helped them go a goal up as well. Their efforts were not enough to seal victory, but the travelling Cologne supporters celebrated passionately with their players after a wonderful team performance.
Robert Lewandowski – Striker – Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski can never keep away from the list of top performers each week, but he truly deserved his spot this time as he rounds up one of the best seasons in his career. The Polish striker opened the scoring in Bayern’s 3-1 win over Hannover, which brought his 2015-16 total to 30 goals. This not only saw him win the award for top hitman in the competition, but his tally made it the ninth time a Bundesliga player has scored 30 or more goals in a single season. Lewandowski is not only the first player to reach 30 since 1974, but he is also the first foreign player to achieve this target as well. Overall it was outstanding match and an outstanding season for the Polish assassin, as he heads toward Euro 2016 in incredible form.
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