After an eventful international break, during which Marco Reus was injured, die Mannschaft reigned triumphant over the plucky Scots and goals for the likes of Immobile, Ibisevic and Alaba, it's about time we got back down to domestic action in Germany's Bundesliga, with a matchday containing some tasty fixtures.
Matchday 2: Fixtures
Friday, 12 September
Bayer - Werder (19:30)
Saturday, 13 September
Bayern Munich - VfB Stuttgart (14:30)
Dortmund - SC Freiburg (14:30)
Paderborn - 1. FC Köln (14:30)
Hertha BSC - Mainz 05 (14:30)
Hoffenheim - Wolfsburg (14:30)
Mönchengladbach - Schalke 04 (17:30)
Sunday, 14 September
Eintracht - FC Augsburg (14:30)
Hannover 96 - Hamburger SV (16:30)
Bayer - Werder (Friday)
Early pacesetters Bayer Leverkusen take on Robin Dutt's Werder Bremen in the first clash of matchday 3 on Friday evening. With wins over Dortmund and Hertha so far, Bayer have opened up an early 2 point gap at the top of the table, as the only side with a 100% record as of now. Key players for Bayer have been winger Karim Bellarabi and attacking midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, who have both been in fine form with die Werkself. Manager Roger Schmidt, however, isn't letting his side's early season success get to his team, stating "We're only right at the start of the season but being top of the league is always nice. We want to make sure we stay there." As for Bremen, a low key start, with two draws from 2, has been quietly effective, but they'll certainly face a tough task overhauling this Leverkusen side, especially with injuries to Philipp Bargfrede and Theodor Gebre Selassie. However, a bright light so far has been Spanish attacker Alejandro Galvez, and he'll look to guide his side to all three points at the Bayer Arena. Manager Robin Dutt was optimistic pre-match, saying "I don't believe that any team is completely settled by Matchday 3. If Leverkusen have any weaknesses on Friday, we'll find them."
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Werder Bremen.
Bayern Munich - VfB Stuttgart (Saturday)
Last season's champions and red hot favourites Bayern Munich face VfB Stuttgart on Saturday afternoon in the Allianz Arena. Der FCB were victorious on MD1, overcoming Wolfsburg 2-1, but a 1-1 draw last weekend with Schalke took some gloss off a strong start, and now they must knuckle down should they hope to retain their crown again this season. Bayern's key men have been Robert Lewandowski and Jerome Boateng, who have both picked up from where they left off last campaign. Bayern will also have Franck Ribery's services available to them once again, after he overcame the injury that kept him out of the World Cup. Ribery said "I feel good and I’m ready for Saturday. Now I need to find my rhythm again." As for Stuttgart, Armin Veh's side have attained just one point so far this season, and after a 2-0 defeat to new boys 1.FC Koln last time out, they'll be looking to retrieve points from the Allianz Arena this Saturday. A key player for the visitors will be Vedad Ibisevic, the deadly Bosnian will need to capitalise on any chance that falls his way.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1 VfB Stuttgart.
Borussia Dortmund - SC Freiburg (Saturday)
A Marco Reus-less Borussia Dormund will play host to SC Freiburg this Saturday afternoon. Reus joins Jakub Blaszczykowski, Mats Hummels, Oliver Kirch, Nuri Sahin, Ilkay Gundogan and Dong-Won Ji on the sidelines, unavailable. Jurgen Klopp was clearly not impressed with thie injury crisis hampering his squad, stating "With all the injuries, it's going to be a completely new and untested starting line-up. That's just how it is." After defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, Dortmund already have catching up to do on the pacemakers, and with new arrival Shinji Kagawa in line to make his first start for BvB since returning from Manchester United, he could be the catalyst to spark a strong run of form for the side. Freiburg sit on just one point so far this season, and the side from the south-west will have a lot of work to do to get any points from the Westfalenstadion. Expect Admir Mehmedi to be at the centre of things for Freiburg.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 SC Freiburg.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim - VfL Wolfsburg (Saturday)
Hoffenheim host Wolfsburg this Saturday, and after an impressive start, Markus Gidsol's side will be looking to take all three points against Dieter Hecking's Wolves. After taking 4 points from their first two games, Hoffenheim have re established themselves as the favourite of many a Bundesliga neutral. Bearing in mind that ast season's form could see them go from a 6-2 win over the aforementioned Wolves to a 6-2 defeat to Stuttgart, maintaining consistency will be vital in their race for a European finish this season. As for the away side, who have managed just one point this season, courtesy of two horrible misses from midfielder Junior Malanda, they'll be looking for swift improvements should they hope to attain the top 4 spot they so desperately desire. Expect Maximilian Arnold to be the gamechanger.
Prediction: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 1-2 VfL Wolfsburg.
Hertha BSC - Mainz 05 (Saturday)
Hertha Berlin play host to Mainz 05 in an eagerly anticipated Saturday afternoon clash. With Hertha sitting on one point, and Mainz on 2, this match could be the spark to set alight either side's season, and all eyes will be on forward Sami Allagui, when he returns to Berlin donning Mainz's red and white kit. Berlin coach Jos Luhukay has wished Allagui all the best at his new club, "although perhaps only after this weekend", singling out the Tunisian as the real dangerman. "Allagui's a threat for us," he said. "Many players often get an extra kick playing against their former clubs." Berlin's defence will also have to keep a very close eye on Shinji Okazaki, though, as he could become the Bundesliga's all-time top Japanese scorer with another goal on Saturday.
Prediction: Hertha Berlin 0-0 Mainz 05.
Paderborn - 1.FC Koln (Saturday)
The two promoted sides will do battle on Saturday afternoon, each gunning to add to their equally impressive starts. With the sides sitting on 4 points each, things really couldn't have gone much better so far for Peter Stoger or André Breitenreiter, and they will without doubt see this game as a chance to perhaps move to the summit of the table, should results go their way. Paderborn have beaten Hamburg and drawn with Mainz, while Koln have beaten Stuttgart and drawn with Hamburg. Expect a tight affair, with Elias Kachunga looking to add to his two goals already this season.
Prediction: Paderborn 1-1 1.FC Koln
Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Schalke 04 (Saturday)
Saturday evening's clash between Gladbach and Schalke has all the ingredients to go down in history as an absolute thriller. With Gladbach able to field a fully fit side other than Julian Korb, they will look to earn all three points against a Schalke side missing Sead Kolasinac (knee), Leon Goretzka, Fabian Giefer, Felipe Santana, Jan Kirchhoff (all muscular) or Joel Matip, who overstretched his groin in training this week. However, MD2 goalscorer Benedikt Howedes is available, and the Schalke rock will be looking to lead his side to victory against The Foals. With neither side mustering up a domestic win this season, this weekend's clash could, even at this early stage, define the rest of their season.
Prediction: Gladbach 1-1 Schalke 04
Eintracht Frankfurt - Augsburg (Sunday)
Sunday's clash between Eintracht Frankfurt and Augsburg pits 5th against 18th, and although it's early in the season yet, Augsburg boss Markus Weinzierl will still be worried by his side's pointless beginning, and will hope that MD3 will be the day that this season's early mistakes are finally eradicated. Their key man could be Raul Bobadilla, who's goal against Borussia Dortmund looks set to have earned him a starting place in this weekend's game. Frankfurt, on the other hand, will be looking to keep up a decent start, which has culminated in a win against Freiburg and a draw with Wolfsburg. Coach Thomas Schaff's message was clear "There are no gimmes in the league. We're hoping for a lot from this game but we have to perform to the maximum."
Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Augsburg
Hannover 96 - Hamburger SV (Sunday)
The final game of the weekend is the local derby between Hannover and Hamburg. With the latter bringing in Lewis Holtby and Julian Green on deadline day, they have obviously realised that taking one point from the 2 promoted sides doesn't bode well for their safety in Germany's top flight, and after coming so close to the drop last season, it was vital that they strengthened. However, Tayfun Korkut's Hannover side look the favourites going into this one, and 4 points from 2 games show that they mean business this season. Expect Joselu to sparkle.
Prediction: Hannover 96 2-0 Hamburger SV