It was good to finally have the Bundesliga back in action, after almost a three months hiatus. The first matchday in the Bundesliga saw many new faces coming into the league, while the use of the Video Assistance Referring(VAR) had its influence in some of these games.
A total of only 15 goals were scored in the first matchday, with season opener between Bayern and Leverkusen sharing more than 25% of those goals scored. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that it was quite a boring matchday. However, the Bundesliga never fails to keep us interested, and we first matchday of the 2017-18 season served us with some memorable moments so early on in the season. Here are three takeaways from the opening matchday of the season.
1. Bayern won’t have it easy
Bayern Munich went into the opening matchday with a fairly strong starting lineup, against a Heiko Herrlich’s Leverkusen, who were seeking redemption after quite a terrible season in the Bundesliga last season. The record champions were the vast superiors and were tipped to have quite an easy night against Leverkusen. In true fairness, it did seem that way in the first half, where Carlo Ancelotti’s men completely dominated die Werkself, while the visitors didn’t have anything in response.
However, as the ref blew the second half whistle, Leverkusen made some changes to their lineup, with the likes of Kevin Kampl and Julian Brandt coming on. Both changed the dynamics of the game, and suddenly Leverkusen was the far superior side.
Herrlich’s men started to show incredible tenacity in midfield and pressing to win every other loose ball and attacked the opposition relentlessly. It goes without saying that Bayern were pretty lucky not to be trailing in the second half because the likes of Brandt and Bellarabi ran their defence ragged for most period of the game.
It just goes to show that the Bundesliga is repairing its wounds, and slowly, but surely. the highly pronounced dominance of FC Bayern is starting to dissipate. They might still win the Bundesliga come the end of the season, but with the resurgence of Leverkusen, Gladbach and Schalke combined with the challenge of Dortmund and Leipzig, don’t be surprised if it gets down to the wire at the end.
2. Exciting times for the Ruhr giants
The two biggest rivals in the Bundesliga, FC Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund had a very good start to the league with the respective new coaches. Peter Bosz’s Dortmund had a comfortable outing against the hapless Wolfsburg while Domenico Tedesco’s Schalke outclassed RB Leipzig in a tensed battle.
Christian Pulisic looked hot against Wolfsburg, scoring a goal and providing an assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The American lived up to the expectation, following teammate Ousmane Dembele’s suspension for an indefinite amount of time.
It’s also worth mentioning that Dortmund played without a host of first-team regulars. The likes of Julian Weigl, Raphael Guerreiro, Marcel Schmelzer, Marco Reus and Andre Schurrle are still out with injury and their return might even boost Dortmund’s performance more than ever.
Schalke, on the other hand, were brilliant against a sharp Leipzig. Young coach Domenico Tedesco proved why he’s touted as one of the best upcoming managers in world football, by having faith in his squad and being reluctant to splash the cash in the transfer market.
New signings Bastian Oczipka and Amine Harit seem to be very good acquisitions for the Royal Blues. If both the Ruhr giants could keep their momentum throughout the season, then they could pose some serious threat to Bayern for the Bundesliga throne.
3. It could be a long season for Augsburg and Mainz
Mainz and Augsburg, two clubs regarded as proper mid-table or lower mid-table clubs, could be up for a long season ahead. Both the teams lost their first game of the season 1:0. Sandro Schwarz’s Mainz could not make use of their chances, especially Japanese striker Yoshinori Muto, who missed a series of goalscoring opportunities before Hannover’s Martin Harnik, converted the only chance he was given, in the entire game to seal an opening day victory for newly promoted Hannover 96. The 05-ers have lost their main man Jhon Cordoba to rivals Cologne, which might eventually hurt their goal-scoring tally for the season.
As for Augsburg, they are tipped to get relegated by many this season. FCA lost their opening game against a consistent league strugglers HSV. Nico Muller’s only goal, however, came at a cost for Hamburg, after he tore his ACL during his celebration, just after scoring the goal.
Regardless, Augsburg have lost significant key players in their squad, with the likes of Paul Verhaegh(Wolfsburg), Raul Bobadilla(Borussia M’gladbach) and co. leaving the WWK Arena. It will be a long season for both of the mid-table clubs, who might as well be dragged into the relegation battle come May.
