Formation - 3-4-3.
Goalkeeper:
Bernd Leno:
It was a weekend for two 'keepers who stood out inparticular - Bernd Leno & Marc-André Ter Stegen. The former gets my vote, narrowly. Leno was responsbile for keeping Leverkusen in Saturday's game with Bayern. Almost single-handedly at times, with Bayern continuously finding a way behind a suspect Leverkusen defence. Without Bernd Leno, Leverkusen would have been in trouble - Hyppia and his team will certainly be thankful that Leno was in top form.
Defenders:
Atsuto Uchida:
The Japanese full-back put in another shift for his side and proving his consistency. Schalke's start to the season hasn't been as one first pictured, but Uchida has been a bright spark in their team. Another impressive performance from Uchida which saw him set-up two goals in Schalke's 4-1 home win against Augsburg, fully desrving of the recognition.
Martin Stranzl:
Gladbach's Austrian centre-half was vital in securing the three points against Dortmund. Despite Dortmund's dominance and piling on the pressure for 75-80 minutes, Stranzl stood firm. Stranzl's cool head and resilliance under pressure against Dortmund is to be desired, but it stems from experience. Winning a high percentage of his duels against a side of Dortmund's calibre deserves praise, thus his selection.
Christian Schulz:
Despite only managing a draw with Hertha Berlin, Schulz was solid defensively. He also contributed with his sides solitary goal, yet another headed goal from a set-piece. Hannover have started the Bundesliga season well, with Schulz being a key figure in their form.
Midfielders:
Raffael Van Der Vaart:
Hamburg's captain cooly dictated Hamburg's tempo. Hamburg have been under the kosh in recent weeks for poor performancs and results, especially Van Der Vaart as he's one of the senior figures in the team. A superbly executed scissor kick and two assists capped off a successful afternoon for the Dutchman. A rennaisance under new coach Bert Van Merwijk cannot be ruled out. He will need to maintain his form for Hamburg to make something of their season.
Max Meyer:
Max Meyer was introduced into the game as a substitute and capitalized on his chance. The youngster did not look out of place in Schalke's midfield. Meyer's composure on the ball and ability to keep a cool head showed glimpses of why he's so highly rated at Schalke, and in Germany. A bit of fortune in the build-up to his goal, but the finish earned him hist first Bundesliga goal and rounded off an excellent afternoon.
Roberto Firmino:
Firmino's season only got better away to Mainz on Saturday. The Brazilian scored a beautfiully executed dink over Müller, netting his fifth goal this term. Firmino's really thriving in a far more improved & attractive Hoffenheim side in contrast to last years - becoming one of the key figures in the eart of their regular XI. Finally, it looks as if Firmino is breaking through. Long may his form continue!
Martin Harnik:
A man who's form has gone slightly unnoticed in recent weeks due to Stuttgart climbing the table & fellow team mates thriving. Harnik had an excellent game against Werder Bremen and was easily Stuttgart's best player on the day. Certainly the hardest working one, anyways. The Austrian grafted - he covered more ground than any other player on the field and is ultimately deserving to be picked up on.
Forwards (no surprises):
Ádám Szalai:
Szalai's been the main source of goals for Schalke in the absence of Klaas-Jan Hunterlaar. The Hungarian has thrived and has ultimately played more time than anyone first imagined. Szalai's in a rich vein of form and warrants a starting berth for the foreseeable future. It was another successful weekend for the striker, finding the net on two occasions against Augsburg.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga:
Lasogga had a weekend that he won't forget for a long time. The on-loan Hamburg forward hit a hatrick away at Nürnberg and imposed himself against a deflated Nürnberg team, whilst embedding himself further into Hamburg. His three goals on the weekend took his tally to five for the season, much to Hamburg's advantage - having been short of a clinical striker for a few years. It was also the fastest scored hatrick in the Bundesliga. Rudnevs who?
Karim Bellarabi:
There just had to be an Eintracht Braunschweig player for this week. After 10,000+ days since a Bundesliga victory, they ended the 28 year-long burden in sepctacular fashion - defeating local rivals VfL Wolfsburg 2-0 at the VW Arena. Braunschweig were devasting on the counter-attack, albeit assisted by a poor Wolfsburg defence. Bellarabi was a scorer of one of the two goals for his side, whilst remaining energetic and motivated all game. It was an excellent result for Braunschweig, which gives Bellarabe & co a platform to build on.