The 2019/20 Bundesliga season began this weekend after Bayern Munich hosted Hertha Berlin on Friday afternoon. The Bavarians disappointingly dropped some points, while their league rivals Borussia Dortmund were at their absolute best on Bundesliga matchday one. RB Leipzig, meanwhile, showed on Sunday that they too could challenge for the Bundesliga title.
Bundesliga Matchday One Review
Bundesliga Matchday One: Friday
Hertha Berlin travelled to Munich on Friday to kick start the new Bundesliga season in a big match against title-holders Bayern. Ante Covic‘s men were largely outplayed in the Bavarian capital, but they still managed to leave with a point.
A Robert Lewandowski goal put Bayern ahead early, and it seemed just a matter of time before Die Roten doubled their advantage. The match was turned on its head, however, just over ten minutes later. Dodi Lukebakio‘s deflected shot pulled the Berliners level, and Marko Grujic gave them the lead just two minutes later.
The Bavarians’ lack of depth betrayed them, but they have already taken steps to ensure it does not happen again. Philippe Coutinho has joined Bayern on a one-year loan that could become permanent for a hefty fee. Die Roten also announced the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Mickael Cuisance to add depth in midfield.
Saturday
The majority of the Bundesliga’s opening weekend matches took place on Saturday. Borussia Dortmund made the biggest impression of all clubs involved. Lucien Favre’s side dominated Augsburg at Signal Iduna Park, despite going down a goal early. Paco Alcacer, Jadon Sancho, Marco Reus, and new addition Julian Brandt all got their name on the team sheet in a performance that emphasized the Black and Yellows’ intention to win the Meisterschale this season.
Just one week into the 2019/20 Bundesliga campaign, Borussia Dortmund took a big step in establishing themselves as the team to beat.
SC Freiburg put three past Mainz, who could not get anything going. Germany U21 star Luca Waldschmidt put his name on the scoresheet with a converted penalty. The Freiburg striker is one to keep an eye on this season.
Wolfsburg welcomed Koln back to the Bundesliga by beating the Billy Goats 2-1, while Bayer Leverkusen scraped a 3-2 win in a tense and exciting match against SC Paderborn.
Borussia Monchengladbach and Schalke rounded out the Saturday matches with a boring 0-0 draw. Marco Rose, however, has to be disappointed in failing to win after his side outplayed their opponents throughout the match.
Sunday
Eintracht Frankfurt and Hoffenheim battled it out in the first of Saturday’s two matches. Neither side impressed particularly, but Frankfurt took all three points thanks to a first-minute goal from Martin Hinteregger.
RB Leipzig, now under the guidance of managerial wunderkind Julian Nagelsmann, initiated Union Berlin into Germany’s top flight by putting four goals past the Bundesliga newcomers. Marcel Sabitzer was particularly impressive for the Red Bulls, scoring one goal himself and assisting the other three from the right-wing of Nagelsmann’s 3-4-3.
Main Photo
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