As Oktoberfest kicked off in Bavaria this weekend, Bayern Munich began their festivities with a resounding 4-0 win over Cologne. Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, twice gave up a lead in Frankfurt, and RB Leipzig continued their red-hot start to the season in Bremen. Bundesliga matchday five was full of excitement. Here is what you may have missed.
Bundesliga Matchday Five Review
Philippe Coutinho Stars for Bayern Munich
Despite Bayern Munich smashing their transfer record fee for Lucas Hernandez in the summer, Philippe Coutinho was undoubtedly the club’s biggest addition for the new season. The Brazilian superstar, on loan from Barcelona, is one of the world’s biggest players. It goes without saying, then, that Coutinho is under the weight of some heavy expectations.
Against Cologne, Coutinho not only met but exceeded those expectations. Coming off a solid performance against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League midweek, Coutinho elevated his game to an even higher level on Saturday. Playing in his favoured number ten role ahead of Joshua Kimmich and Corentin Tolisso in a midfield double pivot, Coutinho combined excellently with Robert Lewandowski and his fellow teammates going forward.
The ‘Little Magician’ played a nearly perfect match as Bayern’s key playmaker. Coutinho completed an astonishing seven key passes, assisted one goal, won his side a penalty, and coolly put it in the back of the net (twice – after the first attempt was called back after VAR). He nearly curled in a perfect free-kick as well. He was unlucky, though, to have only hit the post with his finessed effort.
Amine Harit Continues to Shine for Schalke
Philippe Coutinho was not the only tricky playmaker to give a standout performance for his club this weekend. Morocco international Amine Harit once again stole the show for Schalke on Friday.
The 22-year-old assisted his side’s first goal of the match after some silky work on the left flank. He later capped his outstanding display with a sensational outside-of-the-boot finish in the 89th minute to ensure the Royal Blues took all three points from the game.
Harit has been Schalke’s best player so far this season. He is thriving under new head coach David Wagner after his development had stagnated somewhat in recent seasons. With three Bundesliga goals and an assist to his name already, Harit looks poised to be one of Germany’s breakout stars this season. If he can continue this run of form, all of Europe will have their eyes on him by the end of the campaign.
RB Leipzig Stay on Top
Heading into the 2019/20 season, many expected the usual duo of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to battle it out for the Meisterschale. After five matchdays, however, it is RB Leipzig who find themselves on top of the league.
The Red Bulls have enjoyed an exceptional start to the season, only dropping points once in a draw against Bayern Munich. Julian Nagelsmann’s side has conceded just three goals, while they have scored 13 – as many as they have points in the league. All things considered, they are well deserving of their spot atop the Bundesliga table.
Leipzig again showed their class on Bundesliga matchday five. Julian Nagelsmann’s men thoroughly outplayed their opponents, Werder Bremen, in front of their own fans. What’s more, they did so down a man for almost a third of the match. Then again, by the time Konrad Laimer was sent off for his second yellow card of the match, the competition was practically over.
Whether or not RB Leipzig can keep up their impressive play for the course of a whole season remains to be seen. With obligations to perform in the Champions League and DFB Pokal, things may become too unbearable for Nagelsmann’s young side. But if they somehow manage to put the majority of their focus on the Bundesliga, Germany might have its first three-way title race for the first time in a long while.
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