Bundesliga Matchday 3: Bayern And Van Gaal In Unknown Territory

Mainz got their first win of the 2009-10 season, leaving Bayern a point off the relegation zone in 14th place.

Andreas Ivanschitz opened the scoring with a beautiful goal.The ball curled past Michael Rensing who could have and should have saved. Aristide Bance's header just showed how poor Bayern were defensively—Miroslav Klose was back defending and there was no sign of the defenders.

If Bance's overhead kick and initial header had gone in, Bayern could have been in for a thrashing. Thomas Muller came on and probably made the huge difference. he and Ivica Olic provided energy to a rather poor side. Muller's shot was deflected in by Nikolce Noveski.

Mario Gomez and his other mates did nothing—Olic and Muller seemed to be the only ones interested playing. The win was indeed a deserved win for Mainz.

Final Score: Mainz 2—1 Bayern

For a Bayern supporter, watching Wolfsburg lose would indeed be a good treat: that's exactly what happened. They lost at home to northeners, HSV. The opener was indeed a cruel one: Paulo Guerrero's shot bounced off the post but deflected off the head of VfL keeper Diego Benaglio into the back of the net.

Elijero Elia scored one after the initial save from Mladen Petric by Benaglio to give HSV a 2-0 lead.

In the second half, however VfL fought back. Zvejdan Misimovic sent the ball over the line after an excellent ball into the area by Marcel Schafer to make he score 1-2. Misimovic provided the cross for Obafemi Martins to head in to make the score 2-2.

Mladen Petric's volley however gave the advantage to Hamburg  and all hopes off a comeback by Wolfsburg diminished when Romeo Castelen scored at the death.

Final Score: VfL Wolfsburg 2—4 Hamburg

Felix Magath's new side, Schalke didn't fare too well either. They drew 0-0 against Hoffenheim who are still awaiting their first win of the campaign.

This is indeed strange news, but Hanover played away from home this time and picked up all three points. A Jiri Stajner double saw them beat Nuremberg, 2-0.

Gladbach had earned four points from their first two games, but they were brought back down to earth by Werder. Claudio Pizarro scored twice on his return while Naldo scored a third. Mesut Ozil even managed to miss a penalty as normal service resumed in the Weser Stadium.

Final Score: Werder 3—0 Gladbach

Bochum got their first win off the campaign against the "Old Lady". Hertha showed no signs of achieving what they achieved last season. An Antar Yahia goal was enough to give VfL the win. 

Final Score: Bochum 1—0 Hertha

Koln finally earned a point this season against Frankfurt. Eintracht's Patrick Ochs was shown a red card early in the second half. Koln were however unable to make the man advantage count.

Final Score: Koln 0—0 Frankfurt.

Dortmund and Stuttgart had to share the points out at the Signal Iduna Park. Nelson Valdez's delightful opener for Borussia was cancelled out by a header from Stuttgart's central defender Georg Niedermeier.

Hardly anyone expected Bayer to even challenge for the title. However, a five goal win earned them a place at the top of the table for this matchday. Stefan Kiessling opened the scoring for Bayer. Doubles from Eren Derdiyok and Tranquillo Barnetta added to the opener gave Bayer a 5-0 win against Freiburg.

Bayer, Schalke and Hamburg round off the top three, all with seven points from three games. Wolfsburg are fourth with six from three games.

I will end with a quote from Bayer's coach, Jupp Heyncekes: "It was a funny old game from our point of view as Freiburg were clearly the better side in the first 35 minutes. They could and should have gone 2-0 up.  But as so often happens in football, you get punished if you don’t take your chances. It may sound odd after a 5-0 win, but we were the more fortunate side."