The Bundesliga is back for another season and the opening round of fixtures were highly entertaining and included goals galore as always! This is the first ever German Bundesliga Team of the Week on The Mastermind!
Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
Bernd Leno may have conceded 2 goals against Borussia Monchengladbach and may not have been able to stop them from winning the match but he still made 7 fantastic saves. Leverkusen were tipped by several people who know nothing to be one of the favourites for the title this year but on opening day were incredibly poor and needed to be bailed out time after time by the brilliance of Leno. Rating: 8/10.
Right Back: Philipp Lahm
It was a vintage Philipp Lahm performance on Friday night as he continued to do the simple things, show off his incredible ability and even score a goal. All game long Bayern Munich were dominating possession. Eventually, Philipp Lahm was able to abandon his right back position because there was no need to be there. The German World Cup Winner just surged forward played a one two with Vidal and then Muller and then he put the ball in the back of the net for four. Despite being a right back, Lahm was still integral in orchestrating attacks for his side. He had 78 touches, 57 passes and created 5 chances! It was just incredible stuff again from Philipp Lahm and it’s performances like this from Bayern Munich that just make them look like they are never going to be stopped. Rating: 9.5/10.
Centre Back: Mats Hummels
Mats Hummels was fantastic in his first match in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and never put a foot wrong as Bayern cruised to a 6-0 victory. Hummels had 109 touches, completed 99 passes with a 90% accuracy rate, won 4 aerial duels, made 4 tackles and made 5 interceptions to help Munich completely dominate as Bremen never had a shot at getting anywhere near Manuel Neuer’s box. Bayern Munich’s style fits Hummels so well and it is looking like the perfect club for him to continue to build his reputation as one of the best defenders in the world. Rating: 8.5/10.
Centre Back: Ricardo Rodriguez
When Dortmund had a bad season back in 2014-15, Wolfsburg took advantage and finished in second place in the table with Rodriguez acting as their most important player. But last season, Wolfsburg were the one’s who had a bad season and Rodriguez was one of many that struggled. This season though, Wolfsburg have started brightly with an opening day victory and look a very impressive outfit right now, with Rodriguez acting as their most important player once again. The Swiss international scored a fantastic goal from his only shot on target and also made 3 tackles, and had 69 touches to help Wolfsburg dominate their match and win 2-0. Rating: 8.5/10.
Left Back: Jonas Hector
Jonas Hector had a wonderful Euro 2016 campaign with Germany and has carried over that form nicely in to the first game of the Bundesliga season with FC Cologne. Hector was fantastic as he led Cologne to a 2-0 win with a fantastic performance. The German fullback made 4 clearances, 3 interceptions, created 4 chances and completed 93% of his passes to help Cologne get off to an opening day victory. Jonas Hector is absolute class and should get picked up by a big team very soon. Rating: 8.5/10.
Defensive Midfield: Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso was allowed just far too much time on the ball in Bayern Munich’s opening match against Werder Bremen and as a result he was able to show off his skills and dominate the game. The Spanish midfielder was brilliant for his side on opening day, having 66 touches, completing 88% of his passes for a total of 61 passes and even chipping in with the very first goal of the 2016-17 Bundesliga season. He was the quarterback all game long for Bayern Munich and was able to just showcase his footballing intelligence so amazingly well against the Green and Whites. Even when Werder Bremen gained possession of the ball, Alonso was always there to quickly win it back for his side and then distribute a killer pass for a teammate to try and score a goal. Bayern Munich walked to an easy 6-0 win on opening day and this Spanish midfielder was at the forefront of everything. Rating: 9.5/10.
Centre Midfield: Thiago Alcantara
It’s hard not to put so many Bayern Munich players inside the team of the week when they keep 67% of the possession, have 27 shots and win 6-0. Alcantara was brilliant on opening day as he was the most dominating presence of all on the entire pitch. The Spanish midfielder had a stunning 139 touches on the ball, 121 completed pass with a 90% accuracy rate, helped out in defense with 2 tackles and 4 interceptions, hit the woodwork and never made a single mistake. This midfield looks seriously impressive under Carlo Ancelotti and Thiago Alcantara looks set to play a massive part in it. Rating: 8.5/10.
Attacking Midfield: Thomas Muller
Thomas Muller was arguably Bayern Munich’s best performer on Friday night as Bayern Munich walked to a 6-0 win. Muller scored and assisted a goal and hit the bar as well as he was just a constant presence going forward, constantly creating chances (4) and always being involved in every single one of Munich’s attacks as Werder Bremen never had a chance of getting anything going. Rating: 10/10.
Right Wing: Andre Schurrle
Andre Schurrle had a superb Bundesliga debut with Borussia Dortmund as he assisted both of Dortmund’s goals. His first was a sublime pass from outside of the 18-yard box that was met by goal scoring hero Aubameyang and then his second, was an unofficial assist from winning a penalty late on which was again converted by Aubameyang for 2-0. Schurrle was a constant presence for Dortmund going forward. On top of his 2 assists, he won 3 dribbles, had 3 shots on target and created _ chances. It was a wonderful performance from the German winger on his Dortmund debut and shows great promise for what’s to come from him in Black and Yellow. Rating: 10/10.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski was far too much for Werder Bremen to handle all night long on Friday night. Yes, they allowed him too much to roam around and make a difference for his side, but his off the ball movement and goal scoring touch were just absolutely unreal on Friday night as the former Borussia Dortmund man chipped in with an opening day hat-trick. The Polish striker and Bayern Munich were so brilliant on opening day that Lewandowski could have had a double hat-trick. It was a brilliant performance for Robert Lewandowski as he led Bayern Munich to a 4-0 opening day win. Rating: 10/10.
Left Wing: Franck Ribery
Franck Ribery was another one of Bayern Munich’s standout performers in their incredible 6-0 win. The Frenchman put in a sublime pass for Robert Lewandowski to run on to and score from in the 13th minute and then scored himself in the 73rd minute to make the score 5-0. Ribery had 3 shots, completed 87% of his passes, created 2 chances and had 93 touches on the ball, helping Bayern Munich easily beat a weak Werder Bremen side. Rating: 9.5/10.
Formation: 4-3-3
Player of the Week: Thomas Muller
Thomas Muller was Bayern Munich’s best player on Friday night as he helped them cruise past Werder Bremen for a 6-0 win. Muller assisted 3 goals, created 4 chances, hit the woodwork and was involved in every single attack Bayern Munich had. Plenty of players stole the show for Bayern Munich in their 6-0 victory, but Thomas Muller directed the show and directed it magnificently.
Manager of the Week: Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti just got everything right on Friday night as his side won 6-0. Werder Bremen never even had a chance and the players are clearly buying into everything the Italian coach is selling.
So there it is! The first ever German Bundesliga Team of the Week on The Mastermind. It won’t be the last so make sure to subscribe for more!
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