The Bundesliga returned this weekend and the first matchday certainly lived up to expectations with plenty of goals, talking points and top individual performances. So, just who has made into the first Fanatic Team of the Week?
1- Frederik Rönnow (Union Berlin)
Union’s keeper saved not one, but two penalties against Mainz. On both occasions he outwitted the taker Ludovic Ajorque, who had changed his direction for the second spot kick. With interest from Lazio, Union will be desperate to hold onto their Danish custodian.
2- Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
The Leverkusen wingback notched up eight goals and eight assists in the league last season and got his scoring account up and running with a goal and an assist in the opener against RB Leipzig. His also looked to have developed an early good understanding with Jonas Hofmann.
3- Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
There were occasions last season where Canadian Davies was somewhat off the boil (as were Bayern as a whole), but against Werder Bremen he looked highly motivated to get back to his best using his speed and directness with great effect down the left. Two assists were the perfect start to the new campaign.
4- Odillon Kossounou (Bayer Leverkusen)
Kossounou marshalled the Werkself back three with skill and strength and did well up against Lois Openda. Should veteran Jonathan Tah leave the club in this transfer window, he will be the one to step up and become the defensive lynchpin based on this display.
5- Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim)
Despite losing their opener to Freiburg, Kabak proved himself to be the home side’s best performer with a battling display. His goal gave the hosts a lifeline after going 2-0 down. TSG are going to need him to regularly repeat this if they are to avoid a repeat of last season’s struggles.
6- Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen)
Back in the Bundesliga after returning from Arsenal, Xhaka was his combative self against Leipzig and seemed to really enjoy the battle with Xaver Schlager and Nicolas Seiwald (which he and Exequiel Palacios won). Partnering him with Robert Andrich is going to give the Werkself quite the formidable midfield twosome.
7- Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig)
Leipzig may have lost the opener against Leverkusen, Spaniard Dani Olmo once again shone, despite not hitting the heights of his stunning hat trick display in the Supercup. His headed equaliser just before half time stopped the home side running away with things.
8- Chris Führich (VfB Stuttgart)
Serhou Guirassy and Silas may have grabbed the limelight with the two goals apiece, but the real credit should go to midfielder Chris Führich, who was pulling the strings and provided two assists. The Swabians need to raise their game from last season and on the evidence of Saturday they are definitely moving in the right direction.
9- Leroy Sané (Bayern Munich)
With Harry Kane waiting expectedly upfront, the pressure on the attacking three behind him to perform is going to ignite quite the competition for places under Thomas Tuchel this season. Sané was in the mood on Friday and opened the scoring from Kane’s assist before adding the third late on.
10- Kevin Behrens (Union Berlin)
With five strikers to choose from, Urs Fischer went with Behrens and David Datro Fofana and the decision paid instant dividends with Behrens bagging himself a hat trick of headers to start the season with a bang. Mainz knew what was coming, but were powerless to stop the aerial might of the Union striker.
11- Jonas Wind (VfL Wolfsburg)
A new hairstyle was on show from Wind at the Volkswagen Arena as Wolfsburg entertained newcomers Heidenheim, and the new blond look seemed to work with a brace of goals. The first came after just six minutes with the second on the half hour mark. Unlike Kevin Behrens at Union, he was unable to make it three, but its still a good start.
