Matchday one in pictures
The 54th edition of the Bundesliga began with a Bayern romp at home to Bremen, an entertaining Rhine derby between Gladbach and Leverkusen and an unwelcome surprise for Schalke in Frankfurt.
Bayern turn on the style against Bremen
Against a woeful Bremen side, the champions sent out a clear warning to any rival eyeing their German league crown. Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick for new coach Carlo Ancelotti, with Xabi Alonso, Philipp Lahm and Franck Ribery also on the scoresheet in a 6-0 romp.
Gladbach edge the Rhine derby
Borussia Mönchengladbach secured a 2-1 success against regional rivals Bayer Leverkusen. Andre Hahn opened the scoring just before halftime in an entertaining match at Borussia Park. Joel Pohjanpalo equalized 10 minutes from time before Gladbach captain Lars Stindl struck an 85th-minute winner.
Schalke stumble at first hurdle
Schalke got their campaign off to the worst possible start with a deserved defeat. In new coach Markus Weinzierl’s first Bundesliga game in charge, the Europa League participants fell 1-0 at Frankfurt, home captain Alexander Meier scoring the only goal.
Aubameyang at the double
Borussia Dortmund responded to Bayern’s success on Friday night with an efficient 2-1 home win against Mainz. Dortmund were never really troubled by the Europa League side and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continued his prolific form from last term with a double. Yoshinori Muto’s late header for Mainz was no more than a consolation.
Wolves devour Augsburg
Even without new signing Mario Gomez, Wolfsburg were too good for Augsburg, running out deserved 2-0 winners. Daniel Didavi and Ricardo Rodriguez struck for the Wolves to secure a rare victory away from home, something they managed all-too rarely last season.
Plenty of work for Darmstadt coach Meier
Norbert Meier had a Bundesliga debut as Darmstadt coach to forget as his side crashed to a 2-0 reverse at Cologne. Marcel Risse and Anthony Modeste scored for the hosts in a match interrupted for around a quarter of an hour by a violent storm.
Hamburg stumble again
Hamburg were again afflicted by their opening-day curse – they last managed a win in 2010 – as they surrendered the lead in a 1-1 draw at home to Ingolstadt. Bobby Wood struck for the hosts in the first half and Lukas Hinterseer leveled 11 minutes from time.
Hertha earn dramatic late win
On a gorgeous sunny Sunday afternoon at the Olympic Stadium, Hertha conceded an added-time equalizer to promoted Freiburg but still managed to snatch what was probably a deserved victory. Julian Schieber was the hero with the winner after 95 minutes.
Leipzig held on Bundsliga debut
RB Leipzig's Bundesliga debut ended in a 2-2 draw as they twice had to come from behind to claim a point at Hoffenheim. The only team from the former East Germany in the top flight, promoted Leipzig at least avoided defeat on sporting director Ralf Rangnick's return to the club where he was in charge between 2006 and 2011.