After Bayern Munich got off to a stupendous start in the 2022/23 Bundesliga season on Friday, the league saw plenty of goals on Saturday. Augsburg, Union Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach were on the money, whilst Borussia Dortmund had a tricky fixture against Bayer Leverkusen, but the club stalwart Marco Reus earned them three points with the only goal in the game.
Borussia Dortmund continue to remain the far-off challengers in the Bundesliga title chase for nearly a decade, and they intend to change things this season. Having lost their star striker Erling Haaland, all eyes were on Marco Reus in their opening fixture against Bayer Leverkusen at the Signal Iduna Park. Just nine minutes into the game, he managed to poach in after debutant Karim Adeyemi’s shot was partially saved by the keeper.
Leverkusen had some half-chances, but Edin Terzic’s side dominated the game. Towards the final few minutes, Leverkusen keeper Lukas Hradecky handled the ball outside the penalty box and was sent off post VAR intervention. The game finished 1-0 but easily could have been three in favour of the hosts.
Hoffenheim had centre-back Stefan Posch sent off inside 20 minutes, but that didn’t stop them from getting the opening goal, which came from Robert Skov. However, after that, Borussia Monchengladbach ran riot. Ramy Bensebaini equalised at the stroke of the first half, and two goals came from Marcus Thuram and Nico Elvedi to make it 3-1 for the Foals.
Werder Bremen are back in the top division and managed a scruffy 2-2 draw in their opening fixture against VfL Wolfsburg. Lukas Nmecha’s opener was cancelled out by Niclas Fullkrug, and two minutes later, Bremen took the lead through Leandro Bittencourt. A late goal from substitute Joshua Guilavogui salvaged a draw for the hosts.
In other fixtures, Karim Onisiwo scored a brace to help Mainz defeat VfL Bochum 2-1, whilst Union Berlin came on top in the Berlin derby against Hertha by 3-1.
Bundesliga veterans Michael Gregoritsch and Mathias Ginter were on the scoresheet for SC Freiburg, who ran through Augsburg 4-0 away from home.
