Matchday 5 in the Bundesliga served up some massive wins, losses, and much-needed three points. Remarkably, this is the first time in Bundesliga history that five teams are winless after their first five games. Here are the winners and losers from matchday 5.
Winners
Bayern Munich
Bayern kicked off their Oktoberfest celebrations with a whopping 7-0 victory over VfL Bochum on Saturday afternoon. Having come off the back victory against Manchester United in the Champions League, this was the ideal way to sign off for the week. Harry Kane registered his first Bundesliga hat-trick, while there were also goals for Erix Maxim Choupo-Moting, Matthias de Ligt, Leroy Sane, and Mattyhs Tel.
After some uncertainty surrounding head coach Thomas Tuchel’s behaviour from the board in mid-week, this was the ideal response from his team. The win puts Bayern top of the Bundesliga on goal difference.
Speaking after the game, Harry Kane summed up his thoughts: “We made it look easy with the way we played and our mentality going into the game. It could have been a difficult match. Bochum tend to go man-to-man, which makes it difficult for the player on the ball. Every one of us was switched on and put in a top performance. We played with tempo and made the most of our pace on the wings, which caused Bochum big problems. I’m delighted I can help the team with my goals. I’m happy and getting to know the team better and better. Today was a superb example of that. Hopefully, I’ll get a few more goals.”
TSG Hoffenheim
After just about surviving in the league last season, no one would have had Hoffenheim to be 5th after the first five games. TSG continued their impressive start to the campaign under Matarazzo Pellegrino with a stunning 0-2 victory away at Union Berlin.
TSG look much more defensively sound-minded this campaign, and it showed on Saturday. Union had minimal chances in the first half before TSG took the lead via the penalty spot. As Union pressed for an equaliser, they simply didn’t have the answers. Hoffenheim took control of the game just before halftime when Maximilian Beier found the net.
It’s hard to believe that TSG were so poor last season in comparison to the opening five matches of this campaign. Pellegrino bought in seven additions over the summer, spending just €41m, including loan fees. So far, the careful spending has paid off.
FC Augsburg
Augsburg registered their first win of the season on the weekend as they beat Mainz 05 2-1 at home. Make no mistake, this is a huge win for Augsburg. Having lost two and drawn two from their opening four games, it was crucial they beat fellow strugglers Mainz. Granted, it’s early days, but this will just settle the nerves a little for everyone in the Augsburg camp.
Augsburg went behind early on in the game, but they had the composure to relax and get themselves back into the match. Augsburg went 2-1 up before the halftime mark through determination, especially on set pieces.
What makes this win even more impressive is that Augsburg had to play most of the second half with ten men. There is just something back getting a result when your backs are against the wall. A huge effort and win for Augsburg.
Losers
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Winless in their first five games, Gladbach are hovering avoid the automatic relegation zone and look as if they’re in for a long old season. Their 0-1 loss to RB Leipzig on the weekend was their third consecutive home defeat of the season.
What’s interesting about Gladbach is, at times, they play some good stuff, In fact, when the score was goalless on the weekend, they had some decent chances but simply couldn’t convert. The difference in this game was that Leipzig had the quality to break the deadlock.
In their first five games, Gladbach have scored 8, the most than anyone in the bottom half. However, they have also conceded 13, and there is the issue. They can’t expect to win games with such a leaky defence. You feel Gladbach need a confidence boost soon, or else it will be a season of fighting for survival.
They face a massive game on match day 6 as they travel to VfL Bochum.
Mainz 05
Put it this way, Mainz haven’t won a Bundesliga league since beating Bayern last April. Having said that, not many would have put them bottom after the first five games.
Having failed to beat or even get a point from ten-man Augsburg, Mainz are really struggling right now. One point from their opening five games means they are already having to play catch-up. Mainz showed a lot of promise last campaign and narrowly missed out on European football. However, with the joint second-worse goal difference so far this season, Mainz are struggling to contain teams and score goals of their own.
It won’t get any easier on matchday six when they host Bayer Leverkusen. However, perhaps being the underdog at home can help them finally get their season off and running.
VfL Bochum
Bochum were never really given a chance against Bayern, you can’t blame them for coming home empty-handed. However, you can blame them for losing 7-0. Their minus-goal difference nearly doubled after this one match and could come back to haunt them later in the season.
Bochum will be expecting another tough season in the top flight, but prior to this game, they had should some hope. Granted, they are yet to win a game, but they had drawn 3 and only lost once. They don’t score much but don’t concede loads either (until Bayern, of course).
However, this complete and utter capitulation really does leave you wondering if it won’t be the last time. Should Bochum struggle to get wins this campaign, you feel that goal difference could mean survival or relegation.
The only plus side from Bochum fans’ point of view is that it’s Oktoberfest in Munich, so they could leave the game and forget about it over a cold Maß or two.
GGFN | Jamie Allen
