With the kick off of the 46th Bundesliga season, the game Bayern Munich -Hamburger SV already held a surprise for the fans. Bayern gave away a 2-0 lead at home to only win one point at home in the opening match which was also the debut of Jürgen Klinsmann as Bayern coach. On the other side former Tottenham manager Martin Jol, who also debuted, was very happy with the away point.
Title challengers Schalke 04 started with a convincing 3-0 win over Hanover. The Blues lead the game after less than ten minutes already with 2-0 and had no trouble bringing it home to the delight of their fans. Despite the missing of injured new signings Farfan and Engelaar, Schalke appeared very confident. All three goals though were scored after a set piece.
Christoph Daum made his return to the Bundesliga with Cologne but the promoted team lost out to Wolfsburg 2-1. The visitors were leading at half time but the Volkswagen club managed to turn the game around, also with the help of Cologne’s goalkeeper Mondragon who let in a shot from a tight angle for the winning goal. An elbow from Pierre Womé that remained unnoticed by the referee might still cause a suspension for the Cologne left back, a vicious hit from behind is rumoured to give him a two or three game suspension.
Leverkusen and Dortmund both presented new coaches on their opening day. Klopp for Dortmund was the luckier one out of the two while Labbadia was beaten at home 2-3. Leverkusen was the better and more active team but unable to convert the chances into goals. Dortmund was not too happy about the win though because they lost left back Dede to a long term injury and also goalkeeper Weidenfeller had to leave the field.
Karlsruhe is expected to be one of the teams who are likely to relegate but the Baden side did their utmost to prove the expert wrong and won their first match at home against Bochum. Karlsruhe, who lost Hajnal to Dortmund still managed to play an attractive style and fully deserved the win. Bochum only created some danger in the dying minutes of the game.
Cottbus’ players left the field in shock after a disastrous 0-3 loss at home to promoted Hoffenheim. The visitors were confident and simply the better team, in all ways. Never before had a prmoted team won their first away match by such a big margin. Billionair Hopp, the owner of Hoffenheim will be very pleased and lots is expected from the team now. They lost cetral defender to an eye injury. Cottbus is touted to be the first team to relegate but so far they made sure to win their home matches, now that they have lost, there is already little hope in Cottbus.
Bielefeld stunned Bremen in their 2-2 draw. The visitors and title challengers took the lead twice but each time Arminia came back and scored the deserved equaliser. Swedsh international Rosenberg scored both goals for Werder while Wichniarek answered for Bielefeld and scored the two goals for the home side. He dedicated his goals to his mother who has passed away two months ago. Werder’s goalie Tim Wiese has won a call up for Germany for the first time to represent the country against Belgium on Wednesday.
Sunday rounded off the first day of the season with Hertha visiting Frankfurt. Last year they also met on the first day and Frankfurt won. Yesterday Hertha was the better side and deserved their 2-0 win. they controlled most of the game while Frankfurts new Greek signing Liberopoulos could not score a goal nor create too much danger with his fellow Amanatidis. It was for the first time in this millenium that Hertha won a match on the opening day. Lucien Favre, Berlin’s coach was certainly happy. Frankfurt now has to deliver in Cologne to avoid early trouble.
Traditional Mönchengladbach is back in the top flight but their opening game was little success. Stuttgart played well organised and used the first two chances to score. The homeside was a little too unexperienced in their first match after their promotion and could not avoid simple mistakes. On top of that, their leader Rösler had to leave the field early after being elbowed in the air. Neuville was also missing for them. Despite having quite a few chances. gladbach only scored a single consulation goal. Stuttgart’s Lehmann, new signing from Arsenal made a great debut for the visitors and ensured their win.
Bayern München – Hamburger SV 2:2
FC Schalke 04 – Hannover 96 3:0
VfL Wolfsburg – 1. FC Köln 2:1
Bayer Leverkusen – Borussia Dortmund 2:3
Karlsruher SC – VfL Bochum 1:0
Energie Cottbus – 1899 Hoffenheim 0:3
Arminia Bielefeld – Werder Bremen 2:2
Eintracht Frankfurt – Hertha BSC 0:2
Borussia M’gladbach – VfB Stuttgart 1:3
