Bundesliga Team of the Week – Matchday 5

Bundesliga Team of the Week – Matchday 5 [VIDEO]

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Outside90’s Ari Papas selects the best performers from the fifth round of German Bundesliga action for our matchday five team of the week.

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Roman Burki – Goalkeeper – Borussia Dortmund

BVB faced their first real test of the season against Bayer Leverkusen, which they passed with flying colours. The Black and Yellows smashed Die Werkself 3-0 with one of the star performers being the man between the sticks. Leverkusen are well known for their press and counter-attack style of play and despite their midfield inferiority they threatened Dortmund’s goals in key moments during the match. Javier Hernandez was put through on goal multiple times in the game, only to be stopped by the sweeping hands of Roman Burki. The Swiss goalkeeper channelled his inner Manuel Neuer, rushing out to clear Leverkusen attacks. The 24-year-old also made three smart saves, stopping a tricky dead ball effort from Hakan Calhanoglu and bullet shot from Kevin Kampl.

Matthias Ginter – Right-back – Borussia Dortmund

Ginter has a Bayern-like dominance on the left-back position in the Bundesliga team of the week and deservedly so. He has already been involved in 10 of Dortmund’s goals this season. The German won a penalty for this second time this campaign and only lost one defensive duel of 13. The 21-year-old was tasked with keeping the clever Calhanoglu at bay, which he did with great conviction.

Marvin Matip – Central-defender – FC Ingolstadt

It was not the prettiest win, but Ingolstadt secured an historic three points as they became the first newly promoted club in Bundesliga history to win three consecutive away games, confirmed with their dramatic 1-0 win at Werder Bremen. Both sides struggled in front of goal, but the introduction of ex-Bayern Munich star Claudio Pizarro shook up Werder’s attack. Matip was one of the few Ingolstadt players that did not earn a yellow card as he kept Pizarro quiet after his introduction. It was a dogged display from Die Schanzer who won the game with a dramatic late penalty.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos – Central-defender – Borussia Dortmund

Leverkusen shook things up against Dortmund, playing Hernandez and Stefan Kiessling up front, but it proved to be no problem for Sokratis and his defensive partner Mats Hummels. The Greek international had a fascinating battle with Hernandez for the majority of the match as the Mexican attempted to use his guile to outwit the menacing defender. Sokratis kept Leverkusen’s new signing firmly in his back pocket, pressuring him non-stop throughout the game. BVB’s number 25 was not without fault however, earning a yellow card and a penalty shout after bowling over Hernandez in the box, but his risky play helped Die Schwarzgelb to a win and a clean sheet.

Marcel Schafer – Left-back – VfL Wolfsburg

Schafer showed the depth of Wolfsburg’s squad, stepping in at left-back while Ricardo Rodriguez was rested. The 31-year-old won 60% of his defensive duels and linked up with Andre Schurrle to produce seven crosses. The Wolves’ possession play was crucial for their 2-0 win against Hertha Berlin, with a heavy focus on the full-backs Christian Trasch and Marcel Schafer.

Leroy Sane – Right-wing – FC Schalke

The Schalke youth product proved to be the difference in the Royal Blues’ topsy-turvy 1-0 win against Stuttgart. Both sides huffed and puffed in front of goal, with Stuttgart showing why they are struggling by failing to put in any of their whopping 26 shots on goal. Schalke were statistically outgunned until Max Meyer punished Stuttgart’s mistakes by launching a counter-attack with the help of Leroy Sane’s blistering pace. The 19-year-old’s smart finish proved to be the difference as Andre Breitenreiter headed back to Gelsenkirchen with a lucky three points.

Arturo Vidal – Defensive-midfielder – Bayern Munich

Vidal was criticized midweek by Bayern legends Oliver Kahn and Franz Beckenbauer so the midfielder set about silencing the two with a wonderful goal against an impressive Darmstadt. Bayern had a sensational 81% possession, but the newly promoted side were at home and made sure the game was a difficult arm wrestle for the German champions. After their unexpected 1-0 win against Leverkusen, Darmstadt may have been able to upset another German giant until Vidal broke the deadlock. His smartly taken shot well outside the penalty area was as crucial as his contribution to Bayern’s careful possession play.

Yunus Malli – Attacking-midfielder – FSV Mainz

Despite going a goal down in the 13th minute, Mainz dug deep and Yunus Malli produced a spectacular hat-trick. The 23-year-old made his side’s 60% possession count with two goals from the top drawer to put Mainz ahead. His third was a rather scrappy penalty box scramble, but the German and his team will not care as they return to winning ways after a home defeat against Schalke last week.

Kingsley Coman – Left-wing – Bayern Munich

Bayern’s summer signing from Juventus made an instant impact in his first start for the Bavarians. Pep Guardiola showed the prowess of his squad depth by playing a heavily rotated lineup against Darmstadt and winning convincingly. The 19-year-old who came off the bench in the Champions League final in May had convincing moments in attack, floating seven crosses into the box and maintaining an 86% pass completion rate. The French winger made up for a disappointing display from Mario Gotze by moving into a striking position in the 62nd minute to score a well taken goal and put the game to bed.

Bas Dost – Striker – VfL Wolfsburg

Bas Dost started on the bench against Hertha Berlin due to a falling out with coach Dieter Hecking, but the Wolves were unimpressive in front of goal and brought the Dutch striker on in the 71st minute in the hope of finding a winner. Five minutes later, the 26-year-old broke the deadlock with a simple tap-in and rounded off his 20-minute cameo with a last-minute penalty.

Anthony Modeste – Striker – FC Cologne

Borussia Monchengladbach’s woes were compounded in the Rhineland Derby against Cologne. Despite the Foals’ 60% possession, Cologne proved to be more clinical as Anthony Modeste converted a floating cross with a well placed header. The goal was decisive as Cologne earned their first derby win in seven attempts. It was also the straw that broke the back of Gladbach coach Lucien Favre who tendered his resignation the next day.

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