German Bundesliga: Matchday 2

 

Werder's Milot Rashica after scoring his extra-time winner against Eintracht.

     The German Bundesliga is up and running and though it only began last week, the amount and quality of action presented to the fans has been no less than before. As we head down Matchday 2, we see more drama, goals and stories pointing to a memorable season.

       The first match was played between Hannover 96 and Borussia Dortmund at Niedersachsenstadion. The hosts held Dortmund to a 0-0 draw, and denied them a second consecutive win. In fact, Hannover mostly dominated the ball with 57% possession and more passes. But not goals from either team ended the match as a draw.

       Hoffenheim then defeated Freiburg at Rhein-Neckar Arena. Dominique Heintz of Freiburg opened at 36', but two goals from Ádám Szalai at 50' and 63' handed the lead to the hosts. A late goal by Andrej Kramarić at 90+4' finished the score 3-1.

       Nürnberg then drew with Mainz at Frankenstadion. Jean-Philippe Mateta of Mainz scored the first goal at 25', but he was equalised by Mikael Ishak at 48'. As no further goals were scored, the match ended 1-1.

       Augsburg then also drew themselves with Mönchengladbach, with Michael Gregoritisch scoring for the hosts at 12' and Alassane Pléa scoring for the visitors at 68'. Though the stats were heavily sided with the visitors, they could only produce an equalising goal, finishing the match 1-1.

       Eintracht then lost to Werder Bremen in a nail-biting finish. Werder opened first as Yuya Osako scored at 20'. The pressure was added more as Eintracht's Jetro Willems received a red card at 32' for picking on an opponent. Werder were equalised quite late by Sébastien Haller at 54' with a penalty. But the winner for them came from Milot Rashica, who scored from a free-kick at 90+6'.

       Bayer then got defeated by Wolfsburg. Though the hosts lead first as Leon Bailey scored for them at 24', he was leveled by teammate Ramazan Özcan's own-goal at 36'. Wout Weghorst and Renato Steffen scored for Wolfsburg at 55' and 60' to end the match 3-1 for them.

       Stuttgart lost heavily to Bayern Munich, as Leon Goretzka opened with his first goal for the latter at 37'. Lewandowski added a second at 62' and Thomas Müller made it 3-0 at 76'.

       Leipzig held Fortuna to a draw in the Red Bull Arena, with Matthias Zimmermann scoring for the latter at 47' while Jean-Kévin Augustin equalising him at 68'. 

       Schalke 04 then suffered defeat at the hands of Hertha, with Ondrej Duda scoring for the visitors at 15' and 90+6'.