As the Bundesliga moves on to Matchday 13, it’s time to look back at the opening 12 games of the season. An unpredictable season so far, the Bundesliga continues to be as entertaining as ever.
Reigning champions Bayern Munich sit 5th, with bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund leading the way. A season full of surprise packages, here are just some of the teams and players who have pleasantly surprised us.
Surprise Packages of the Bundesliga Season
Florian Neuhaus and Borussia Mönchengladbach
Playing a key role in helping Fortuna Dusseldorf get promoted, midfielder Florian Neuhaus is back at Gladbach. Pushing on from last season, the 21-year-old German has become a key player for manager Dieter Hecking.
Reminding some of a young Thomas Müller, Neuhaus has contributed one goal and eight assists in all competitions. Playing in a midfield diamond, he’s played a key role in a Gladbach team currently sitting second in the table.
Led by Thorgan Hazard, Alassane Pléa and Yann Sommer, Gladbach have made strides early in the season. Now second in the table, Hecking’s team are just four points behind league leaders Dortmund.
A squad with an average age of just 25, this is a Gladbach team ready to push on and make a serious challenge for a Champions League place. After wins against Bayern, Leverkusen, Schalke, Frankfurt and Werder Bremen, this is a team nobody wants to play right now.
Reiss Nelson
On loan from Arsenal, Nelson has been a pleasant surprise since making his move to Hoffenheim. Mainly coming off the bench for manager Julian Nagelsmann, Nelson has made key contributions.
The versatile winger has contributed six goals and one assist in eight Bundesliga games. A great return considering his £450K loan fee. Scoring a goal every 55 minutes in the league, Nelson is yet to earn a starting role under Nagelsmann.
An understandable decision, with Nelson’s best performances coming from the bench. It appears his long-term future lies in London with Arsenal, but the talented Englishman continues to play a big role, doing damage in the Bundesliga on a weekly basis.
Eintracht Frankfurt
After a slow start to the season, Frankfurt has come on leaps and bounds. In what was supposed to be a transition year after losing former manager Niko Kovač, Frankfurt now sit third in the table.
Led by a deadly trio up front, Eintracht has become a team nobody wants to play. Starting Sébastien Haller, Luka Jović and Ante Rebić on a regular basis, new manager Adi Hütter has seen all three makes significant strides this season.
Frankfurt fans have been spoilt this season, with the three forwards combining to score 23 goals in the Bundesliga. Moving forward, this Frankfurt team has a legitimate chance to secure Champions League football.
A talented, well-balanced group of players, Hütter has his team playing well and with confidence.
Javairô Dilrosun
Once an Ajax youth player, Dilrosun made the move to Hertha Berlin in the Summer after leaving Manchester City on a free. Following in Jadon Sancho’s footsteps, the Dutchman has made an instant impact in the capital.
Contributing two goals and three assists, Dilrosun’s impact has been a pleasant surprise. The 20-year-old made a brave decision in the Summer, rejecting the likes of Liverpool, Juventus and Benfica.
Dilrosun only has one thing on his mind; regular football. The risk paid off, with the former City player receiving his first call-up to the Dutch national team.
Now a key player in Berlin, Dilrosun looks set to play a big role as Hertha look to make a push for European football.
Davy Klaassen
Considered a flop at former club Everton, Klaassen has found a new home in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen. The former Ajax captain is now a key player under manager Florian Kohfeldt, helping lead Bremen to 7th in the table.
Playing in a four-man midfield, Klaassen has rediscovered the form that led to Everton spending almost £30 million on him back in July 2017. Leading the league in distance covered, the Dutchman has made an immediate impact in Bremen.
Working alongside Nuri Şahin, Klaassen has contributed two goals and two assists in 12 games this season. Considered a great bit of business by Bremen, Klaassen only cost the team £12 million, making him an absolute bargain and one of the surprise packages of the Bundesliga.
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