Outside90’s Ari Papas selects the best performers from the latest round of Bundesliga action for our matchday 14 team of the week.
Diego Benaglio – Goalkeeper – VfL Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg went into their fixture against Augsburg as undeniable favourites but it was the Bavarian cellar-dwellers who stole a point in a 0-0 draw. The Wolves were unimpressive compared to a revitalised Augsburg side and Diego Benaglio was called into action a number of times. The Swiss shot-stopper made four saves and was a dominant force in the penalty area. Even when experienced defender Dante was sent off, Benaglio kept a cool head and a clean sheet.
Lucasz Piszczek – Right-back – Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund’s marauding Polish international is one of the last remnants of the famous Black and Yellow Polish trio that terrorised the Bundesliga for a number of years. Piszczek has found a starting spot hard to come by due to injuries and the incredible form of Matthias Ginter, however Thomas Tuchel gave the right-back a start against Stuttgart in BVB’s 4-1 victory. The 30-year-old showed why he is still a valuable squad member with 70% passing accuracy and a calm goal-line clearance in the first half.
Javi Martinez – Centre-back – Bayern Munich
Martinez stepped up in the absence of Jerome Boateng to establish himself as a leader in defence with an all-round display against Hertha Berlin. The Spaniard excelled in all areas of the pitch, with a near perfect passing accuracy and tackling completion rate. The 27-year-old also cracked open a resilient Hertha defence with a clever chipped pass to Kingsley Coman to put Bayern 2-0 up.
Marcelo – Centre-back – Hannover 96
Marcelo was Hannover’s star performer in a morale-boosting and impressive 4-0 victory over FC Ingolstadt. Ingolstadt’s defensive record before their encounter with Hannover was incredible, their goals against stat bested only by Bayern Munich, until Marcelo began the rout with an early headed goal. Aside from the goal, the 28-year-old’s defensive contributions were outstanding as he won all of his aerial duels and tackles. The Brazilian’s performance was almost immaculate as the relegation candidates gave themselves some breathing space.
Miiko Albornoz – Left-back – Hannover 96
Albornoz had a standout performance against Ingolstadt as well. His looping corner kick led to the opening goal that began the 4-0 rout and his attacking displays on the left-wing were excellent. The 25-year-old had an 80% pass completion rate in his attacks up the wing and also won 60% of his aerial duels. The Chilean was crucial in Hannover’s attempts to break open a stubborn Ingolstadt defence.
Fabian Johnson – Right-wing – Borussia Monchengladbach
The USA international showed why he is one of the best American players in Europe by barely maintaining Gladbach’s outstanding undefeated record under new manager Andre Schubert. Schubert’s men were down 3-1 to Hoffenheim after Fabian Johnson opened the scoring and it looked like they were staring down the barrel of a maiden defeat under their new figurehead. After pulling the score back to 3-2, Hoffenheim held onto their lead into the dying minutes when Johnson turned Hoffenheim’s defence inside-out to put away a late equaliser. The USA international’s goals were almost as important as his physical presence on the pitch; he was the fastest man on the ground that night with a speed of up to 40 kilometres an hour.
Leon Goretzka – Central-midfield – FC Schalke
Schalke’s outstanding youngster has been stepping into the shoes of Johannes Geis in the wake of his five-game suspension and filled the hole in midfield efficiently against Leverkusen in a 1-1 draw. Despite having only 40% possession, Goretzka made good use of his time on the ball with 85% passing accuracy. The 20-year-old also won 90% of his tackles to keep Leverkusen’s attack at bay and played a lovely through ball for the opening goal. Schalke were denied three points right at the death but a point at the BayArena is impressive nonetheless.
Gonzalo Castro – Central-midfield – Borussia Dortmund
It has taken a while for the Spain-born German to settle into Tuchel’s squad but he has officially announced his return to form with a dominating display against Stuttgart in a 4-1 win. The former Leverkusen man displaced Julian Weigl in the starting XI and repaid his manager with a goal in the third minute, nodding home a deflected Henrikh Mkhitaryan shot. The 28-year-old was not finished there as he produced a classy back-heel flick to assist Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The well rounded display will be a key for Castro’s bid to stay in the starting lineup.
Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting – Left-wing – FC Schalke
On a rare off-day for Leroy Sane, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting appeared as Schalke’s deadliest attacker against Leverkusen. The 26-year-old simply dominated his wing with unbelievable defensive and offensive statistics. The Cameroonian dismantled Leverkusen and was rewarded with the opening goal. He failed to add to his tally and Schalke had to settle for a 1-1 draw but individually, Choupo-Moting had his best performance yet.
Nadiem Amiri – Striker – TSG Hoffenheim
The German youngster put on an outstanding display for Bundesliga strugglers Hoffenheim with two assists and a goal. Hoffenheim are well and truly in a relegation battle this season with only eight points going into their match against an in-form Gladbach. The bottom-placed club showed great promise in the opening half of the game with Amiri facilitating all three of its goals. The outstanding individual display was not enough for three points as Hoffenheim collapsed in the final minutes.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Striker – Borussia Dortmund
The Gabonese striker put a three-goal space between himself and Robert Lewandowski at the top of the Bundesliga scorers chart with two clinical goals against Stuttgart. His first effort was a difficult chip over the Stuttgart goalkeeper and he rounded off the scoring with a close finish in the closing minutes of the game. The 26-year-old has now scored 17 Bundesliga goals, a new personal best, and it seems like he will not be stopping anytime soon.
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