Bayern Munich cruised to a 3-0 win over newcomers Greuther Furth as the Bundesliga campaign began in earnest across Germany.
Thomas Muller, Mario Mandzukic and Arjen Robben all scored for the Bavarian giants to give Furth a tough introduction to life at the top. Furth, which will celebrate their 110th anniversary next year, is making its first-ever appearance in the Bundesliga this season.
Bayern sit atop the Bundesliga by virtue of goal difference; seven other teams are level on points after opening day wins.
Elsewhere, Borussia Monchengladbach dealt Fabian Johnson’s Hoffenheim a 2-1 loss behind the crafty play of Juan Arango. The Venezuelan international set up Mike Hanke’s opening goal from a free kick and then curled in the winner with another with 11 minutes remaining. Daniel Williams was an unused sub for Hoffenheim.
Nurnberg recorded their first win over Hamburg in twenty years thanks to Hanno Balitsch 68th minute goal. Hamburg goalkeeper Rene Adler denied Timothy Chandler early and held on to save the clean sheet.
Dani Schahin guided Fortuna Dusseldorf to a 2-0 victory over Augsburg as they made a successful return to the Bundesliga after a 15-year absence. The striker struck after 69 minutes with a long-range shot before sealing victory 10 minutes later when he converted from close range.
Mainz fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at Freiburg. Max Kruse gave the home side the lead after 49 minutes but the visitors were able to equalize from the spot through Andreas Ivanschitz in the 65th minute. Jeffery Jared was not in the game-day 18.
Eintracht Frankfurt marked their return to the top-flight with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Bayern Leverkusen. Stefan Kiessling had given the visitors a deserved lead on the half hour mark but goals from Stefan Aigner and Martin Lanig turned the tide for the Eagles.
Wolfsburg snatched a late 1-0 win at Stuttgart thanks to a Bas Dost header. It was a remarkable turn of events: Wolfsburg’s Emanuel Pogatetz had conceded a late penalty but Stuttgart’s Vedad Ibisevic saw his attempt saved, then missed an open net in humiliating fashion. Dost raced down the field and scored off an unmarked header.
Friday, defending champions Borussia Dortmund survived a scare to open with a 2-1 win over Werder Bremen at the Westfalenstadion.
Marco Reus gave the home team a flying start with the opening goal in the 11th minute, but Dortmund failed to add to their lead and deservedly conceded an equalizer from Theodor Gebre Selassie in the 75th minute.
Mario Gotze was the hero, nicking a late winner in the 81st minute to allow Dortmund to begin this fiftieth Bundesliga season on the right foot.
Sunday, Steve Cherundolo’s Hannover hosts Jermaine Jones’ Schalke.
