Outside90’s Ari Papas selects the standout performers from the latest round of Bundesliga action for our Team of the Week.
Bernd Leno – Goalkeeper – Bayer Leverkusen
Bernd Leno was Leverkusen’s outstanding derby hero against FC Cologne as his side emerged 2-0 victors. Leno produced nine important saves in a crazy game which saw both teams reduced to 10 men. The German goalkeeper’s performance helped Leverkusen stay in the game long enough to score two late goals and seal victory.
David Alaba – Left-back – Bayern Munich
Bayern’s utility man was on hand as they downed Stuttgart 3-1. In a game where neither team impressed, the Austrian popped up to put the Bavarians ahead two goals to the good in the first-half. Unlike the rest of his team, David Alaba had a consistent performance as he effectively shut down Timo Werner and provided a number of attacking opportunities.
Aytac Sulu – Central-defence – SV Darmstadt
Darmstadt inched one step closer to certain safety in the Bundesliga with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Hamburg. The newly promoted side put in a professional defensive performance as captain Aytac Sulu won five defensive challenges and scored the important opener. Darmstadt held onto a two goal lead for a crucial victory, despite conceding in the dying minutes of the game.
Benjamin Hubner – Central-defence – FC Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt have gone from strength to strength, after taking down Schalke last week they set their sights on Borussia Monchengladbach and dispatched them with a professional 1-0 win. The Bavarian side needed a strong defensive showing for any hope of a result against a rampant Gladbach side, but they delivered as Benjamin Hubner had an outstanding performance in the centre. The 26-year-old won all of his aerial and defensive challenges, including a dramatic last man tackle to save his side.
Matthias Ginter – Right-back – Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund’s meagre title hopes dwindled as they conceded a 2-2 draw with Schalke in the Revierderby. Despite the result, Matthias Ginter stood out as an excellent performer. The youngster had been relegated to the bench recently with the availability of more senior players, but he took advantage of his starting position in a rotated Dortmund side by scoring the team’s second goal of the night. The German also contained the right-side of the BVB’s defensive-half with four aerial challenges won.
Moritz Hartmann – Left-wing – FC Ingolstadt
Moritz Hartmann was another key performer in Ingolstadt’s incredible 1-0 win over Die Fohlen. The forward winger only had two shots throughout the game, but his dribbling and passing showed threatening signs early on. The 29-year-old had an immense impact late in the second-half as substitute Mathew Leckie whipped in a wonderful cross for Hartmann to poke home the winner.
Manuel Schmiedebach – Central-midfield – Hannover 96
Hannover’s chances of survival look less and less likely even after a spirited 2-2 draw with Hertha Berlin. Manuel Schmiedebach proved that there are signs of hope in the Bundesliga cellar dwellers with a brilliant performance, using his quick feet and smart thinking to gel his team’s attacks together and create havoc for the opposition. He deservedly earned a goal in the second-half after an impressive run and could have scored another had he not been denied by the post.
Moritz Leitner – Central-midfield – Borussia Dortmund
Moritz Leitner has spent most of his time at Dortmund in limbo and barely making a spot on the bench, but he produced a solid performance when Thomas Tuchel needed to rotate his squad for the Revierderby against Schalke. The 23-year-old played the full 90 minutes and he showed that he could potentially become a proper starting player for Dortmund with a fine showing where he assisted Shinji Kagawa’s stunning opener. The German was overwhelmed in midfield at times, but showed his ability on the ball when given the chance.
Leroy Sane – Right-wing – FC Schalke
After two straight losses in the Revierderby, Schalke aimed to set the record straight with a gritty performance in a 2-2 draw. The hosts’ sensational young winger made mincemeat of Dortmund’s left-back Erik Durm, slinking in between the Black and Yellow’s defence to tuck away a goal in the second-half after a mix up in the penalty box. The 20-year-old almost scored another as he hit the post, but in the end had to settle for the draw.
Javier Hernandez – Striker – Bayer Leverkusen
Javier Hernandez has well and truly cemented himself as Leverkusen’s star man and became their derby hero against FC Koln. The Mexican striker scored in the reverse fixture, but could not stop Cologne from running out victors on the day and the entire team was seeking revenge. It was a dogged performance from both teams, but Chicharito managed to kill the game and scored Leverkusen’s second goal of the night on the stroke of halftime with a cool finish.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar – Striker – FC Schalke
It has been a sub-par season for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, but he reminded the Schalke fans why he is a legend of the club with an important goal against Dortmund to end their losing streak against their neighbours. The Dutch striker showed that he was desperate to beat the BVB with an aggressive effort, winning 11 aerial challenges and out-muscling Sokratis and Mats Hummels on a number of occasions. The 32-year-old was finally given his chance to be the hero of the day by scoring an equalising penalty to seal a draw with their local rivals.
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