Bundesliga matchday five: European struggles turn fortunes

UEFA competitions turn into Bundesliga success for all involved as across the table the big names all returned to a successful weekend.

Borussia Dortmund had a 0-0 draw with Barcelona midweek, but away to Eintracht Frankfurt they were unable to hold the lead on two occasions and drew with the Eagles 2-2.

For Frankfurt, it was a first goal from Andre Silva and an own goal by Thomas Delaney that equalised the Dortmund goals from Axel Witzel and Jadon Sancho. While midweek, the Eagles fell at home in the Europa League to Arsenal, it was the mental fortitude shown by the hosts that bodes well this season. For BVB, it was another two points dropped while three points out from first and one from second. This could be pointed to as a result where missed opportunities could cost the title.

Borussia Monchengladbach had a horrible Europa League midweek, but took their frustrations out on local rivals Fortuna Dusseldorf, 2-1.

American Zack Steffen was again called on multiple times to bail out Fortuna, but the Foals would not be stopped. A brace from Marcus Thurman meant three points to Gladbach and more importantly a spot tied for third in this young season. The fact that bragging rights went to the Black and White is merely icing on the cake.

Werder Bremen had a terrible time with RB Leipzig losing convincingly 3-0 at the Weserstadion.

For a team with nearly every member of the squad who played in the first three matches out with injury, American Josh Sargent was called to lead the line. Leipzig shut them out but most importantly they continued their early season start and sit atop the Bundesliga with a two point lead.

Elsewhere in the Bundesliga

Bayern Munich started their Oktoberfest off better than last season with a 4-0 victory over Koln, they stay at second with 11 points from five matches.

Bayer Leverkusen put their Champions League nightmare with Lokomotiv Moskow behind them with a convincing 2-0 home win over Union Berlin.

Schalke went joint third in the Friday match with Mainz, their 2-1 win means 10 points from five played.

Hertha Berlin earned their first points since their opener with Bayern, a 2-1 win over Paderborn who stay rock bottom of the table.

SC Freiburg was unable to get more than a 1-1 draw with FC Augsburg and join the five way tie for third place.

Monday fixture of Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim was a 1-1 draw with both sides thinking what if.

Bundesliga Player of the Week:

Willi Orban led the defensive line for Leipzig, scoring a goal, keeping a cleansheet, while down to 10 players for a third of the match. This all means he’s worthy of the title.