Analysing the Highs and Lows of the Opening Bundesliga Weekend

In an opening Bundesliga weekend that saw the average goals-per-game ratio reach 4.3, which works out to an incredible average of one goal every 20.70 minutes of play, the German top division kicked things off with an explosion of elation and drama in equal measures. 

Although Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are yet to drop points, both sides began their domestic title challenge with fantastic performances, while the rest of the chasing pack followed suit with wonderful football that put entertainment before all else. 

For all the ups and downs of the first week of this season's Bundesliga, click "Begin Slideshow" and enjoy the marvel of everything German football had to offer this weekend. 

Aubameyang's Hat-Trick

Dortmund’s thunderous return to Bundesliga action with a 4-0 win over lowly FC Augsburg undoubtedly dominated this weekend’s action, with new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring a tremendous hat-trick.

The ghost of Mario Gotze’s sudden absence from the side was soon vanquished when the ex-Ligue 1 striker opened the scoring in the 25th minute. An intriguing cross toward the back post from full-back Marcel Schmelzer found the Gabonese striker, who was only too happy to knock it past Mohamed Amsif in the Augsburg goals with an astute diving header.

The second goal didn't come until late in the second half after a well-fought hour of football in which Augsburg gave a good account of themselves. Yet, in what seemed almost inevitable, Aubameyang was there to double Dortmund's lead in the 66th minute: this time on an inventive through ball from Marco Reus in a play that seemed straight from the Dortmund hymnbook and notably familiar to the moves Reus used to perform with Gotze last season. 

The Gabonese striker's third goal came from the same position as the second, a deep run from the left-hand side. Yet it was striker Robert Lewandowski this time who unleashed the striker's devastating pace, as Aubameyang casually rounded Amsif in goal and made it four for Dortmund and three for him on the day. 

Day one of the Bundesliga, and a new star is already born. 

Wolves' Capitulation

It's often considered one of the easiest mistakes to make in German football when one considers a successful and hopeful season ahead for Wolfsburg before the new Bundesliga season has properly begun. 

Yet with Dieter Hecking and his side finally getting a full preseason under their belt, alongside the impressive transfers of Timm Klose from FC Nuremberg, Daniel Caligiuri from Freiburg and the potential signing of Luiz Gustavo from Bayern Munich, the mood around the Volkswagen Arena was that of feverish optimism. 

Alas, such a word is a dangerous omen in the Bundesliga. And while the flags flew with such pride on the club's opening day of the new season, it was Hannover who were able to take full advantage of the complete and utter self-destruction that was taking place in front of them.

A bright new Wolfsburg side, but nothing too different on the pitch.

From Diego's uncharacteristic loss of possession that led to Leon Andreasen's opening goal in the 17th minute to Klose's dismissal late in the second half after two careless fouls, Wolfsburg were all over the place for the duration of the game. If it wasn't for Mame Biram Diouf's poor finishing, Hannover may have finished the game in double figures. 

Hertha Steamroll Frankfurt

Hertha Berlin are of course no strangers to bouncing back up the Bundesliga upon recent promotion, yet nobody quite thought the capital side would kick off its domestic campaign in quite the manner that things unfolded this weekend. 

When Eintracht Frankfurt, the dark horses of last season's campaign who challenged for Champions League qualification for much of the season before ultimately finishing sixth, came to town, there wasn't much expectation for Jos Luhukay's side. Yet, within the first 20 minutes, the home side was in front, and it never seemed to look back. 

With Alexander Meier's penalty aside, the game was unsurprisingly a one-way affair as Hertha continued to batter the Frankfurt side into submission, with Sami Allagui and Adrian Ramos' individual goals to make it 4-1 and then 5-1 a particular joy to behold for the home side. 

For Frankfurt and coach Armin Veh, the new season has hit hard and fast, and with a conceded goals tally for the season already larger than it was five games into the previous campaign, a return to the drawing board is all but a definite necessity. 

Bremen Win a Game

Of all the unexpected results to dot the late Bundesliga sky, Werder Bremen's impressive 1-0 win over Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday afternoon was perhaps the most peculiar. 

Not for what happened on the pitch or perhaps even the eventual score line, but for the notable sigh of relief that followed the final whistle from the players, coaches and fans alike; Bremen had picked up three points, and for now, the downward spiral was beginning to level off. 

The goal itself was incredibly unspectacular in the manner of its execution. Yet when Zlatko Junuzovic latched on to the surprisingly accurate clearance from Sebastian Prodl to beat the offside trap and blast the ball past Marjan Petkovic in goals in the 83rd minute, his response was that of sheer ecstasy as he ran off the pitch toward the stand of celebrating away fans.

And for once, the fans shared that same sense of joy. Bremen were off to a flying start to the season. 

Schalke Held by Hamburg

One side that held all the hope in the world during the buildup to this season's Bundesliga opening weekend was that of Schalke 04. 

With new signing Christian Clemens starting alongside Jefferson Farfan and Julian Draxler, and Leon Goretzka awaiting his role on the side of the pitch, Schalke had suddenly turned themselves into one of the youngest and most exciting sides in Germany. 

Yet, as we've seen this weekend, such assumptions rarely go so far, as Hamburg, a side that's contrastingly struggled to make its way through the summer transfer window with an ounce of good news, came to town and spoilt the party with an excellent performance and a share of the spoils at the Veltins-Arena. 

The real worry for Schalke coach Jens Keller will, of course, be the Jekyll and Hyde nature of Schalke's play throughout the afternoon and the worrying comparison most fans will make to their similar performances last season. 

As was often the case last season, with every excellent Klaas-Jan Huntelaar goal (although usually scored by someone else last season), there is a corresponding mix-up in the back line which leads to an unfortunate goal to cancel such progress out. 

With plenty of money spent and a lot of fans rightfully beginning to question the club's desire in light of Dortmund's recent success, pressure will quickly engulf this side and its recently appointed coach if results don't pick up. Week one and just two points dropped, but any more too soon could lead to a disaster.