Bayern Munich continued their incredible run of form at the top of the Bundesliga with their sixth straight win at the weekend. Jupp Heynckes’ side have now won nine games in a row in all competitions without conceding a single goal but Bremen and MGladbach are just two points behind after the pair also picked up three points at the weekend. Cologne continued their climb up the table with their second win on the spin while champions Dortmund returned to winning ways, picking up their first victory in four games. Here’s a look at some of the stand-out performers in last weekend’s round of Bundesliga matches:
Rafinha, Bayern Munich. WhoScored rating 7.82
Up against Leverkusen’s narrow 4-3-2-1, the right-back was given plenty of incentive to forage forward and help his side’s attacks. Bayern attacked down both flanks with equal measure- 37% left and right, with 26% through the middle but as the player position map (below right) shows, Thomas Muller (25) pushed further up on Rafinha’s (13) side of the pitch in comparison to Franck Ribery (7) on the left, playing in front of Philipp Lahm (21).
With space ahead of him, Rafinha made 3 successful dribbles compared to Lahm’s 1 and this is reflected in their distribution- he had 100 touches to Lahm’s 102 but the pass tally was 74 to 84, as Rafinha chose to pass less often, instead relying on his ability to make things happen. In distribution, though, he was still hugely impressive with a 92% accuracy and his more attack-minded game saw him better Lahm in crossing (2 to 1) and resultantly play less long balls forward (11 to 15).
Defensively, he produced 2 tackles and 3 interceptions and his display going forward meant a more defensive role for Sidney Sam (1 tackle and 3 interceptions), playing on the left of Leverkusen’s attacking midfield two, as Bayern pushed their opponents back, limiting them to just 4 shots over the course of the game.
Marco Reus, Borussia MGladbach. WhoScored rating 9.42
With an overall match rating of 8.01 for his seven appearances so far, the right winger is the fourth top-rated player in the Bundesliga this season. Last weekend saw another masterclass from Reus in his side’s narrow 1-0 win over Nurnberg as he earned his second man of the match award of the campaign.
The player position map (below left) shows how far forward Reus (11) plays- MGladbach are set out in a 4-4-2 but in comparison to left winger Juan Arango (18) his role more resembled that of a forward.
Reus had 6 shots –double the tally of the next best MGladbach player, Arango (3)- with 2 on target and also hit the woodwork in a brilliant attacking display. Not only was he the main goal threat, he was also the home side’s chief creator; Reus produced 6 key passes in addition to 8 crosses and an incredible 7 successful dribbles as he tore Nurnberg left-back Timothy Chandler apart.
Chandler, normally such a reliable performer, is his side’s second-top rated player with 6.87 over the season but Reus proved far too tricky to handle, with Chandler making only 2 tackles and 1 interception for a match rating of just 6.06. Reus pulled the strings all game and although MGladbach fired off a total of 18 shots, poor finishing saw them need a penalty to finally make a breakthrough. It’s been the story of Reus’ season so far- he’s averaged 3.3 key passes per game, created chance after chance for his team mates but has, incredibly, yet to pick up a single assist.
Claudio Pizarro, Werder Bremen. WhoScored rating 8.54
With Bayern Munich winning 3-0 at home to Leverkusen on Saturday evening, the pressure was on Werder Bremen in the final match of the gameweek. They left it late- very late- against 9-man Hertha Berlin but thanks to a last gasp winner from Pizarro, they prevailed and remain just two points behind Jupp Heynckes’ side after a 2-1 home win.
A 3rd-minute goal from the visitors heaped the pressure on Bremen but a Pizarro equaliser on 23 minutes showed their determination. By 63 minutes, Hertha had been reduced to 9 men and the host side dominated, with 62% possession as they pushed forward in an attempt to find the all-important winner. They had 13 shots to the visitors 5, with 6 on target to 3, and once again have Pizarro to thank for the three points.
Playing up front in a 4-1-2-1-2, Pizarro (24)- as the player position map (above right) shows- was the furthest forward of the Bremen side, with strike partner Marko Arnautovic (7) slotting in just behind. While Arnautovic spurned chance after chance –he had 4 shots, with none on target- Pizarro showed just how clinical a finisher he is, finding the net with both his shots over the 90 minutes.
Pizarro had just 42 touches compared to Arnautovic’s 69, made 27 passes with a 96% accuracy and also produced 2 key passes in the win. His two goals mean he is third top scorer in the Bundesliga with 5 already this season and has also grabbed 2 assists over his six appearances, meaning he has played a part in 7 of his side’s 14 goals, or 50%. If Bremen are to maintain their lofty position near the summit of Germany’s top-flight, it’s clear just how important a part Pizarro will play as the season unfolds.
