Bundesliga This Week
The Bundesliga is back after the International break that saw Germany take two hard fought wins in Group D against then-leaders Poland and Scotland to take top spot. In domestic terms, Bayern and Dortmund are looking to keep up their 100% win record, while Gladbach and Stuttgart are looking to get off the mark this campaign.
Pizarro third time lucky at Bremen
Monday saw Werder Bremen secure the services of free agent Claudio Pizarro after previously being at Bayern. This is the third time he has joined the Green and Whites in his career, the first in 1999 and the second in 2008. The Peruvian is a renowned goalscorer for both Bremen and Bayern. The 36-year-old currently holds the record for the best double figured goals-to-games ratio scoring 10 times in 684 minutes and has scored 14 times from the bench in his Bundesliga career. Bremen travel to Hoffenheim’s Rhein-Neckar Arena on Sunday, hoping to make it back-to-back wins. Pizarro’s experience and finishing combined with the power of Anthony Ujah and prowess Aron Johannsson will make for a strong attack against an often-dodgy defence of Hoffenheim. Pizarro isn’t likely to start after two-month absence without kicking a football. However, with his record of scoring from the bench, Hoffenheim will have to keep close watch on the veteran hitman if he makes his debut as a substitute.
Januzaj should add something extra to Dortmund’s front line
Borussia Dortmund’s loan signing Adnan Januzaj has had mixed fortunes in his career so far. Breaking into Manchester United’s first team with two goals on his first start and becoming a regular under David Moyes to not featuring under Louis Van Gaal. The Belgian has been given a second chance at Tuchel’s Dortmund and has already scored in a charity match against St Pauli on the weekend. The 20-year-old has a chance to redeem himself in Germany’s top division. Dortmund travel to Michael Frontzeck’s Hannover looking to continue their 100% start to the season on Saturday, Dortmund are sure favourites to take maximum points from the Lower Saxony side as they have started poorly and lack a goalscorer. While Dortmund cannot stop scoring, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be looking to grab his fourth goal in as many games, with Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan providing the Gabonese International, or finding the net themselves. With Mkhitaryan, Aubemeyang and Reus all in fine form, Januzaj will have to be at his finest to stand a chance of making regular appearances – and rejuvenating his career.
Could Augsburg shock Bayern once more?
The Bavarian Derby is on show this weekend in the Bundesliga at the Allianz Arena. Augsburg shocked the books to record an impressive 1-0 win in front of a sell out crowd last time out. A goal from Raul Bobadilla silenced the Bayern stronghold and adds to the minnows growing success last season. This time round, Augsburg haven’t started with the same sort of battling performances which saw them reached an all time high of 5th place last season, they are in a lowly 15th without a win to their name. Bayern on the other hand have got off to another ruthless start with three straight wins. Bayern are strong contenders to carry on their 100% start but like any derby, you could never rule out either team. After the rather poor start from Augsburg, this could be the game needed to kick start their season. However, with 5 goals in 3 games from German international Thomas Muller and the creativity of new additions of Arturo Vidal and Douglas Costa to their already solid squad, Augsburg could be in for a tough afternoon.
