Bundesliga Returns From Break: Derbies & Transfers

End of Transfer Window

With the door shut on the transfer window, right prior to the international break a couple Bundesliga sides added to their squads prior to match day two.

Arsenal’s Serge Gnabry to Bremen was indeed the biggest name that signed on deadline day. After returning from earning a silver medal at the Olympics he was not to be part of first team plans.

After a tumultuous season last year Bremen has really opened up the pocketbook for 6 million Euros for Gnabry, a young player whose upside should bring the Grun und Weisse a youthful intensity on the field to go with the ageless Claudio Pizzaro.

Hessian Derby

With both Eintracht Frankfurt and Darmstadt surviving relegation the local derby is back.

In the newly renamed Jonathan-Heimes-Stadion the first derby of the season will actually be watched from fans of both teams after the Frankfurt fans were banned from the match last season.

These two local rivals, until last season had only faced each other via Frankfurt’s reserve team.

Last years match at Darmstadt happened in the 32 match day and with Frankfurt’s 2-1 win they were able to ensure survival.To start this season Darmstadt fell to Koln while Frankfurt beat Schalke with 10 men.

Matches of the Day

Starting off the weekend is a classic match-up on Friday. Schalke 04 hosts champions Bayern Munich.

As previewed by Dan Gaichas here the Royal Blues fans will not be welcoming back new Germany captain Manuel Neuer.

Bayern will be looking to keep their good form going after a 6-0 opener against Werder Bremen while Schalke was unable to capitalize on a 10 man Frankfurt in their 1-0 loss.

Hamburg’s Bobby Wood looked in fine form as he scored his first goal for his new club. Continuing that form he scored while on international duty. Now he and is teammates face Bayer Leverkusen and Chicharito.

A battle of CONCACAF strikers HSV earned themselves a 1-1 draw with Ingolstadt and Bayer Leverkusen fell to local rivals Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1. Each will look to make a stand to rise up the table with the squads each have assembled in the best of the early Saturday matches.

Traditional topspiel, or top game, has the first home match for RB Leipzig hosting last seasons runners-up Borussia Dortmund.

After showing spirit in their 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim Leipzig will be looking for enthusiasm from the fans as Dortmund will still be looking to fully find themselves in this early part of the season.

Bundesliga on Fox Schedule

Friday: Bayern @ Schalke FS1

Saturday: Early matches HSV @ Bayer Leverkusen FS1, Borussia Monchengladbach @ SC Freiburg FS2, Hertha Berlin @ FC Ingolstadt Fox Soccer Plus. Top match Borussia Dortmund @ RB Leipzig FS2

Sunday: Early match is FC Augsburg @ Werder Bremen FS1 late match Hoffenheim @ Mainz FS1