Bundesliga 2013/14 Matchday 1 Roundup

The Bundesliga has returned after a long summer break and the Friday opener did not disappoint.  Last years treble winner FC Bayern Muenchen hosted the season opener in the Allianz Arena and earned their first three points.  Pep Guardiola played with ten players that were in the Champions League final with one exception.  Toni Kroos replaced Martinez.

FC Bayern Muenchen vs Borussia Moenchen-Gladbach   3-1

While the match was intense, Bayern's offence was clicking with the likes of Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery, who is  up for Europe's "Footballer of the Year" award, Phillip Lahm and David Alaba were back in their usual positions.  Gladbach, unlike the Telekom Cup, during the preparation phase was a worthy opponent.  Bayer connected early in the first half, with goals from Arjen Robben (12th) and Mario Mandzukic (16th).  Dante's own goal on a communication error with Manuel Neuer in the 40th minute, made the match interesting.  Dominguez handball in the 68th minute resulted in a missed penalty by Thomas Mueller, but lo and behold Dominguez touched the ball with his hand again and David Alaba made no mistake on the retake of the penalty putting the record champion ahead 3-1 in the 69th minute.  Full game report

Bayer Leverkusen vs SC Freiburg 3-1

Leverkusen won the contest thanks to a double pack shortly after the half.  Freiburg dropped a penalty kick, which would have been a big opportunity to narrow the score.  Stefan Kiessling score d in the 22nd minute, but Freiburg's Hanke equalized in the just before the break in the 40th minute. Son made it 2-1 in the 46th minute, while Sam got the security with his 3-1 in the 52nd.

Hannover 96 vs VFL Wolfsburg 2-0

 A goal in each half gave Hannover a 2-0 victory in its home opener.  For large stretches of the game, Hannover was dominant.  With the sending off of two Wolfsburg players  (Arnold 22nd and Klose in the 52nd) it made life almost impossible for the Wolves.  Hannover went ahead with Andreasen's goal in the 17th minute and Huszti scrored the assurance goal in the 84th.

1899 Hoffenheim vs 1. FC Nuernberg 2-2

Hoffenheim started the second half with a 1-0 halftime lead, thanks to Abraham.  In the 51st minute it looked as if Modeste's goal put the game out of reach for Nuernmberg.  Not to be outdone, Nuernberg came back as a direct answer to Hoffenheim's goal when Frantz scored in the 54th minute.  Three minutes later, in the 57th minute, Ginczek got the equalizer, capturing the first away point of the new season.  Overall this was an exciting match.

FC Augsburg vs Borussia Dortmund 0-4

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang started his Bundesliga debut with a bang, achieving a hattrick, which contributed to Dortmund's overwhelming success in its Bundeliga opener in Augsburg.  Aubemeyang put the Champions League finalist ahead in the 24th minute and added two more goals in the second half (66th and 79th minute).  Robert Lewandowski scored the fourth on a penalty kick in the 86th minute.  While Augsburg put up a fiesty defence, the side was lacking in the offence.  Dortmund's Juergen Klopp must be thrilled with his new acquistition and the win puts the black yellows in good stead for the season.  Augsburg will have to work on its offensive role, it it doesn't want a repeat of last season.

Hertha BSC Berlin vs Eintracht Frankfurt   6-1

After a nervous start, Berlin took control of the match and had a more than respectable debut in the Bundesliga after a one year absence.  Ramos and Brooks gave the side from the capital a 2:0 lead with their goals in the 18th and 32nd minute.  The Hessen, with a penalty kick by Meier narrowed the score before the half in the 37th minute.  Berlin's Allagui put the game out of reach for the Hessen with goals in the 58th and 60th minute.  Ramos and Ronny scored in the 71st and 89th minute to add insult to injury.   The game was a disaster for the Eintracht side, which qualified for Euro League competition in their debut season last year.  It would appear that Berlin has no intention to return to the second tier.

Eintracht Braunschweig vs Werder Bremen 0-1

After a mediocre performance by both sides in the first half, the teams, particularly Braunschweig returned revitalized.  The second half saw good action on both ends,  with a number of missed opportunities.  In the end Bremen can consider themselves lucky to come out on top, after Januzovic scored in the 82nd minute and Bremen captured the three opening points.  Braunschweig put in a strong performance, especially in the second half.   Both teams have work to do if they are to avoid relegation. 

Mainz 05 vs VFB Stuttgart  3-2

Mainz won their season opener in a close match.  Stuttgart and Mainz exchanged blows during the first 15 minutes, with an opening goal for Mainz (Mueller) in the 14th minute.  Ibisevic equalized in the 16th minute, which was the score at half time.  Mainz pulled ahead Ozakaki's goal in the 65th minute and then doubled the lead in the 78th, Mueller's second of the afternoon.   Stuttgart bounced back in the 82nd when Harnik narrowed the score to 3-2.  In the end it was too little too late for the Schwaben.

Schalke 04 vs Hamburger SV  3-3

Fans in the Veltins-Arena saw an exciting match, where Huntelaar didn't disappoint scoring his first goal of the season in the second minute.  Hamburg's Van der Vaart equalized on a penalty kick in the 12th minute and Hamburg took the lead in the 23rd on a goal from Beister.  Just as it looked as if Hamburg would take a one goal lead into the half, Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored his second in the 45th minute, sending the teams into halftime with a draw.  Incidentally the game marked the highest scoring one in a half for the new season.  Sobiech moved Hamburg once again out in front with his goal in the 49th.  Szalai again got the equalizer in the 72nd.  With a final score of 3-3 the sides shared a point and put on entertaining match for the 62,000 spectators.

Saturday, August 9
   
FC Bayern vs M'gladbach  3-1

Sunday, August 10

Bayer Leverkusen vs SC Freiburg  3-1
Hannover 96 vs VfL Wolfsburg  2-0
1899 Hoffenheim vs Nürnberg   2-2
FC Augsburg vs Borussia Dortmund  0-4
Hertha BSC Berlin vs Eintracht Frankfurt  6-1
Eintracht Braunschweig vs Werder Bremen  0-1

Monday August 11
FSV Mainz 05 vs VfB Stuttgart    3-2
FC Schalke 04 vs Hamburger SV  3-3

Place-----Team-----------------------GP---W---D----L---GF/GA ---Pts

1------- Hertha BSC Berlin------------1----1----0-----0-------6:1--------3
2--------Borussia Dortmund-----------1----1----0-----0-------4:0--------3
3--------Bayer Leverkusen-------------1----1----0-----0------3:1--------3
4--------FC Bayern Muenchen--------1----1----0-----0 ------3:1--------3
5--------Hannover 96-------------------1----1----0-----0-------2:0--------3
6--------Mainz 05------------------------1----1----0-----0------3:2---------3
7--------Werder Bremen----------------1----1----0-----0------1:0---------3
8--------FC Schalke 04-----------------1----0----1-----0-------3:3--------1
8--------Hamburg------------------------1----0----1-----0-------3:3--------1
10-------1. FC Nürnberg----------------1----0----1-----0------2:2---------1
10-------1899 Hoffenheim--------------1----0----1-----0------2:2---------1
12-------VFB Stuttgart------------------1----0----0-----1-------2:3--------0
13-------Eintracht Braunschweig------1----0----0-----1-------0:1--------0
14-------Borussia M'gladbach----------1----0----0-----1------1:3---------0
15-------SC Freiburg---------------------1----0----0-----1------1:3---------0
16-------VFL Wolfsburg-----------------1----0----0-----1------0:2---------0
17--------FC Augsburg-------------------1----0----0-----1-------0:4--------0
18--------Eintracht Frankfurt------------1----0----0-----1-------1:6--------0