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Whilst Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach all came away with relatively easy victories, Borussia Dortmund slipped up for the first time this season, as they drew 1-1 with Nurnberg. In an eventful week, let us look at the players who made it into this week’s Bundesliga XI.
GK: Mielitz (Werder Bremen)
The 24-year-old German keeper kept up his bright start to the season with another clean sheet, his third in just six games this year and kept up his streak of having kept a clean sheet in every match that his side have won this year. Against Hamburg, he probably had his best game of the season so far and kept his side in the game long enough for the attackers to score and wing the game.
RB: Fritz (Werder Bremen)
Although he was the third best player on the pitch behind his goal keeper and his striker, C Fritz still played a vital part in helping his side keep yet another clean sheet. The German international also managed to be a constant threat going forward and finished the game with an assist to his name, to cap off a brilliant defensive display.
CB: E Pogatetz (Nurnberg)
E Pogatetz was crucial in keeping a Dortmund side, who came into the fixture with five straight wins, quiet. The Austrian central defender had an eventful game which saw him play a vital role in both boxes. Whilst he came close early on, he provided the assist that led to Nilsson’s goal that levelled the game at 1-1. He also made crucial last ditch interventions, including a clearance of the line, to keep his side in the game.
CB: Naldo (Wolfsburg)
Even though I Olic scored two goals, it was the center back Naldo, who was the game’s outstanding player. Although he made only four tackles, his positional sense was excellent and was there, when his side needed him most. The Brazilian was a colossus in the air as he won four aerial duels and also had the third best passing percentage and touches of any Wolfsburg player. His assured performance at the back, gave the midfielders the license to push on, which they did effectively for both of their goals.
LB: Alaba (Bayern Munich)
Although Alaba didn’t have much to do, in the defense sense, he was certainly a delight going forward and was one of Bayern’s major attacking threats. Playing almost as a wingback, the Austrian left back had more touches than Schalke’s most creative player, Julian Draxler and ended the game with two assists and a pass completion rate of 90 to go along with his couple of shots at goal.
CDM: M Russ (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Marco Russ was the star of the show as he dominated the midfield and scored his side’s goal, which earned them a 1-1 draw against Stuttgart. In a game that wasn’t too high on goal mouth action, Russ’s goal and his all-round passing helped his side come away with a point.
CM: Bender (Bayer Leverkusen)
In a game that was dominated by R Kruse, whose virtuoso performance saw him walk away with the match ball, Lars Bender was the platform on which all their attacks were built. And although he was only on the pitch for little over an hour, he left his indelible mark on the game, with a goal and a performance, which on any other day, would have earned him plenty of plaudits. His partnership with Rolfes is fast becoming a lethal one in the center of the Bayer midfield.
CAM: R Kruse (Bayer Leverkusen)
R Kruse is quickly turning out to be one of the players to watch out for this year and he continued his good form by turning in an absolutely amazing performance that saw him score two goals from his only shots in the game. He added onto that by chipping in with an assist as well, and ensuring that Leverkusen carry on playing scintillating football and entertaining players and fans alike.
ST: Raffael (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
The Brazilian forward gave a masterclass in finishing as he expertly took both his goals from just three shorts on target. His combination play with his fellow striker M Kruse certainly bodes well for the season and if Raffael continues his current striking form, there is certainly no stopping him.
ST: M Kruse (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Few would have predicted M Kruse to have outdone his strike partner on a day in which, the other scored two goals. M Kruse did that and a whole lot more, as he scored from the penalty spot and also set up another goal and ran the show in attack. He continued to trouble the Braunschweig defense, with his close control and dribbling abilities at the forefront of his dazzling display on Friday night.
CF: N Petersen (Werder Bremen)
Whilst the defense had a very solid game, it was Petersen’s brace that won them the game. The German forward did what German forwards do best, put the ball in the back of the net. Both his goals were very well executed and he also won everything in the air, which was certainly a good thing as his side were bombarding him with long balls. His aerial prowess meant that he was ready to hold the balls that came in from the back and also from the flanks.
