Michael Ballack made a successful if low-key Bundesliga comeback at Bayer Leverkusen with a 2-0 victory against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
In the early game, Mainz beat Stuttgart 2-0 to begin its Bundesliga campaign with a victory against a team it had never defeated in the championship in nine previous attempts.
Ballack signed for Leverkusen, one of his former clubs, after failing to earn a new contract from Chelsea. He started the match but his performance was unremarkable in his first game since injuring an ankle in May to be ruled out of the World Cup.
Germany coach Joachim Loew watched the match. Ballack wants to return to the Germany team and reclaim the post of captain.
Leverkusen underlined its ambitions by winning on the road against its neighbor and bitter rival after goals from Tranquillo Barnetta in the 20th minute and Renato Augusto in the 23rd.
Ballack's last Bundesliga game was four years ago, a 3-3 draw against Dortmund while he was still with Bayern Munich.
Newly signed players scored both goals for Mainz - Sami Allagui in the 26th and Morten Rasmussen in the 47th.
Stuttgart's Germany striker, Cacau, missed a penalty in the 19th.
Six other clubs won their opening-round matches, including defending champion Bayern Munich.
