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The Bundesliga is the first major European league to head into a Christmas break.
With 17 games played, the 2021/22 season is exactly half way through in the German first division, and it's been an exhilarating ride.
Defending champions Bayern Munich are cruising at the top of the table as usual, followed by Borussia Dortmund, Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen.
The league's top scorers so far are also the usual suspects, while three sides - Wolfsburg, Hertha Berlin and RB Leipzig - have seen managerial changes.
There's still plenty more to come from the German top-flight in the second half of the campaign, starting in January next year. But first, let's take stock of the season thus far, starting with the best players in each position.
Here's a look at the best combined XI of the Bundesliga so far:
Goalkeeper: Mark Flekken (Freiburg)
Leaving out Manuel Neuer from a list like this one may seem controversial, as the Bayern custodian has been in electric form once again this season.
But Freiburg's Mark Flekken has quitely had an impressive campaign of his own.
While both have kept six clean sheets, the joint-most in the Bundesliga so far, and conceded 16 goals each, the joint-fewest, the Dutchman leads Neuer in terms of save percentage (79.5%).
His heroics between the sticks have played a big part in Breisgau-Brasilianer's excellent defensive record, while helping them make their best-ever start to a top-flight campaign.
The goalkeeper is calmness personified and combines excellent reading of the game with razor-sharp reflexes.
Right-back: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
There's no better defensive midfielder than Joshua Kimmich, but we've put him here due to a lack of options at right-back—a position he knows well.
A veritable Swiss Army knife of a player, he offers immense value in both attacking and defensive roles.
The German international has scored three Bundesliga goals and assisted four while averaging 2.6 key passes per game, an indication of his playmaking brilliance.
Unfortunately, Kimmich missed Bayern's last six games through COVID-19 and subsequently a lung problem, ending the first-half of his campaign prematurely.
Centre-back: Nico Schlotterbeck (Freiburg)
Freiburg have been the story of the season thus far, currently sitting in third place with the joint-best defensive record in the division.
A key player in their stoic backline has been Nico Schlotterbeck, a 22-year-old centre-back who has had a breakout campaign so far.
Combining his positional awareness with game-reading acumen and aerial prowess, the youngster even kept Erling Haaland at bay in their shock 2-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund on matchday two.
Schlotterbeck's meteoric rise didn't go unnoticed on the international stage, with Hansi Flick calling him up to the German squad in September.
Although he remained an unused substitute on the bench, it won't be long before he officially breaks into the side if the defender continues his incredible form into 2022.
Centre-back: Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Dayot Upamecano became the latest young prospect to join Bayern Munich from a domestic rival club following a sensational switch from RB Leipzig in the summer after prior agreeing a deal.
The 23-year old has acclimatized to life in the new surroundings very comfortably, taking no time to establish himself in Bayern's defense and consistently leading by example.
The Frenchman has been key to stopping opposition attacks with his ball-winning capabilities and impeccable vision, while also demonstrating his attacking side of the game with five goal-contributions.
Left-back: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
Bayern's very own 'Road Runner' Alphonso Davies is having another fine season, making a telling impact at both ends of the pitch.
He uses his whirlwind pace to make timely recovery runs and is constantly looking to improve at positioning.
The Canadian star, who won his country's best player award once again, has also created four league assists, the joint-most for a defender in the Bundesliga so far this season.
Although all his assists came only until the month of October, Davies has still been valuable when it came to acting as an effective ball-carrier and creating space for his attacking cohorts.
Defensive midfielder: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
Among the breakout stars of last season, Jude Bellingham hit the ground running after joining from Birmingham City, winning plaudits for his electric pace, execution and innovation.
Now, he's improved his game even further, contributing nearly twice as many Bundesliga goals and assists (7) as the English youngster managed in the whole of last season (4).
His tally includes five assists, the most in the Dortmund squad, and ranks fourth in the top-flight for duels won with 193, a testament to his defensive qualities too.
Right-winger: Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
Patrik Schick was a star performer at Euro 2020, scoring a joint tournament-high five goals for the Czech Republic. With 16 from 14 appearances in the Bundesliga so far, it's safe to say he's carried the same form in the 2021/22 season too.
The striker is currently leading in the division's scoring charts bar one and is already enjoying the most productive season of his career!
His remarkable tally also included a stunning four-goal haul against promoted side Greuther Furth to become the first player in Bayer Leverkusen's history to net four times in the match.
Attacking midfielder: Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
No best XI list would be complete without mentioning Thomas Muller, who still remains underrated. He's once again the Bundesliga's leading assist-maker with 15.
It's a domestic record for the most assists in the first half of a season, while no player in any of Europe's top five leagues boasts a higher assist tally.
The Raumdeuter's creative brilliance has undoubtedly played an important role in Bayern's title charge and Muller himself has chipped in with five goals of his own.
His best tally for a single league campaign is 21, coming in the 2019/20 season, so he's well on course to surpass that record, needing only nine more from 17 games.
Left-winger: Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
One of the biggest revelations of the season is Christopher Nkunku, who has emerged as Leipzig's most valuable player.
While mainly drawing attention for his Champions League displays, netting seven goals in the group stages, the Frenchman has been no slouch in the Bundesliga either.
In 17 games, he's struck seven goals and made seven assists, both of which are also the highest in the Leipzig squad and account for exactly 40% of their top-flight goals.
The 24-year-old offers immense energy, flair and invention, while being absolutely clinical with his chances, making the youngster one of the hottest properties in Europe right now.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski knows no stopping. His goalscoring average has increased in the last few years, powering Bayern Munich to numerous titles, including a second 'treble' in 2020.
He bagged 34 top-flight goals last year only to set a new record of 41 last season. Now, the Pole is currently on 19 in just 17 games for the 2021/22 campaign, taking his consistency to a whole new level.
The 33-year-old has failed to score in only four appearances while his incredible tally includes a routine hat-trick too, one of only four players to record the feat in the division so far.
Continuing his blazing form, Lewandowski has torn every defense apart to lead Bayern to yet another title charge. At this rate, he's sure to tumble a lot more records.
Striker: Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
No surprises here either. Erling Haaland has gone about his business as usual, scoring 13 times in the league despite missing six games through injury.
The Norwegian's average is slightly higher than Lewandowski's (1.18 to 1.11). Throw in his five assists and the difference in total goal-contribution average increases (1.63 to 1.17).
If anything, it's a testament to his remarkable talents, as Haaland has taken the Bundesliga by storm since making his debut for Dortmund in January 2020.
His team currently trail Bayern by nine points after last night's defeat, but without Haaland's imperious goalscoring prowess, it could've been much worse.
Should the striker manage to keep himself fit, Dortmund can reignite their flailing title ambitions in the second half of the season.
