Outside90’s Ari Papas selects the best performers from the eighth round of Bundesliga action for our matchday eight team of the week.
Timo Horn – Goalkeeper – FC Cologne
Timo Horn had another outstanding afternoon between the sticks as Cologne shocked Schalke with a 3-0 away win. The 22-year-old pulled off a number of fine saves to keep the score at a flattering 3-0. The home side out bossed Cologne in possession and attempts on goal, however Horn somehow managed to keep a clean sheet.
Mitchell Weiser – Right-back – Hertha Berlin
Weiser is finally proving his worth following a move to Berlin from Bayern Munich in search of first team action. The 21-year-old played a key role in Berlin’s 3-0 win over Hamburg, getting an important assist for the opening goal. With a 100% dribbling success rate, the young German was a major threat for Hamburg’s defence.
Jerome Boateng – Central-defence – Bayern Munich
The world cup winning defender was Bayern’s best on the pitch in their 5-1 home win against Borussia Dortmund. The 27-year-old paired up well with Javi Martinez as they quelled almost all of Dortmund’s attacks on their goal. Interestingly, Boateng was also a part of many Bayern attacks, his long balls led to two goals to put the result beyond doubt.
Benjamin Hubner – Central-defence – FC Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt continued their good start to the season with a 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. Hubner and his defensive partner Joel Matip faced a battle with last season’s top scorer Alexander Meier, who has found his form after returning from a lengthy injury lay-off. The 26-year-old did incredibly well to fend off Frankfurt by winning 80% of his defensive duels.
Jonas Hector – Left-back – FC Cologne
Jonas Hector faced an intriguing battle with in-form winger Leroy Sane in Cologne’s trip to the Veltins Arena. Sane has had a habit of losing his marker and scoring incredible goals of late, but Hector kept the tricky 19-year-old in check. The 25-year-old also won over 80% of his tackles and aerial duels.
Ibrahima Traore – Right wing – Borussia Monchengladbach
Gladbach faced their toughest test in the post-Favre era with a home match against VfL Wolfsburg, who they dispatched efficiently in a 2-0 win. Traore was on the scoresheet and an engine in Gladbach’s attack. The Guinean had an 87% pass completion rate and a 90% dribble success rate that helped him pick apart Wolfsburg’s flank.
Havard Nordtveit – Central-midfield – Borussia Monchengladbach
Another stand-out performer in Gladbach’s win over Wolfsburg was Nordtveit who opened the scoring. New manager Andre Schubert threw the 25-year-old into the fray in an attempt to break the stalemate – a decision that proved to be game-changing. The Norwegian had an instant impact, scoring only five minutes after his introduction. Nordtveit’s work in the midfield was invaluable, but his stunning volley stole the spotlight.
Xabi Alonso – Central-midfield – Bayern Munich
Bayern, as per usual, dominated the midfield in their fixture with Dortmund mainly thanks to Xabi Alonso. The 33-year-old comfortably controlled possession and dictated the tempo to break up Dortmund’s pressing. Despite Arturo Vidal being absent for the majority of the match, Alonso held his own in the middle of the park as his side eased to a win.
Pablo De Blasis – Left-wing – FSV Mainz
Mainz came out on top in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Darmstadt, with the winning goal coming from Pablo De Blasis. Darmstadt have proven to be a tough opponent for many Bundesliga teams so Mainz would be pleased with a hard-earned, albeit scrappy, win. The Argentine winger lobbed home the winning goal in the 63rd minute to take home three points against a determined Darmstadt.
Karim Bellarabi – Striker – Bayer Leverkusen
Despite dominating every stat at home against Augsburg, Leverkusen could only muster a 1-1 draw thanks to an awful goalkeeping error from Bernd Leno. Roger Schmidt is still looking for the right formula up front, playing Bellarabi and Javier Hernandez as the two strikers. The pair combined when Hernandez’s deflected shot allowed Bellarabi to tap in an equaliser.
Robert Lewandowski – Striker – Bayern Munich
It’s that name again as Lewandowski put two past Dortmund to help Bayern to a comfortable victory. The 27-year-old lurked in Dortmund’s defensive gaps, utilising a long ball to score his first. The Polish striker has now scored 12 Bundesliga goals this season and shows no signs of letting up, his goals putting seven points between the Bavarian club and second placed Dortmund.
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