Bundesliga Week 1: Round-up and Analysis
The 2025/26 Bundesliga season kicked off with a bang, serving up a mix of high-scoring thrillers, stunning upsets, and a few nail-biting draws. The opening weekend showcased the league’s trademark drama and attacking prowess, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating campaign.
Match Summaries:
FC Bayern Munich 6-0 RB Leipzig3
The champions dominantly started their title defense, completely overwhelming a shell-shocked RB Leipzig. The final score was a statement of intent from the new-look Bayern squad under manager Vincent Kompany. Michael Olise, a new arrival, was a standout with a brace in the first half, while Harry Kane continued his lethal form from last season, bagging a hat-trick. The attacking trio, also including new signing Luis Díaz, proved to be a nightmare for the Leipzig defense. This was a clear message that Bayern is as formidable as ever.
FC St. Pauli 3-3 Borussia Dortmund
In one of the most enthralling matches of the weekend, newly promoted St. Pauli announced their return to the top flight with an incredible comeback against Borussia Dortmund. BVB seemed to have the game in hand, leading 3-1 late in the second half, but a late surge from the home side, including a penalty and a dramatic 89th-minute equalizer, secured a memorable draw. This result highlights both Dortmund’s immense attacking talent (with goals from Guirassy, Anton, and Brandt) and their continued defensive vulnerabilities. St. Pauli’s fighting spirit will be something to watch this season.
Eintracht Frankfurt 4-1 SV Werder Bremen
Frankfurt got its campaign off to a flying start with a commanding victory over Werder Bremen. The new-look Frankfurt attack, led by the dynamic duo of Jean-Matteo Bahoya and Can Uzun, proved too much for Bremen’s defense. Bahoya scored a brace, while Uzun contributed a goal and two assists, showcasing an exciting partnership. This performance suggests that Frankfurt could be a force to be reckoned with this season, especially with their attacking flair.
Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 TSG Hoffenheim
In a surprising upset, Hoffenheim spoiled Erik ten Hag’s Bundesliga debut as Leverkusen’s manager.4 Hoffenheim came from behind to secure a hard-fought victory at the BayArena. Despite a goal from Leverkusen’s new defender Jarell Quansah, Hoffenheim’s quick-fire goals from Asllani and Lemperle were enough to seal the three points. This defeat is a reality check for the reigning DFB-Pokal winners and shows that the league will be highly competitive from top to bottom.
Union Berlin 2-1 VfB Stuttgart
Union Berlin secured a crucial home win against last season’s high-flyers, VfB Stuttgart. It was a spirited performance from Union, with Ansah scoring a first-half brace. Despite a late goal from Stuttgart’s Tiago Tomás, the home side held on for a valuable three points. This result is a strong start for Union and a slight stumble for Stuttgart, who will be looking to build on their impressive last season.
1. FC Köln 1-0 1. FSV Mainz 05
Marius Bülter’s late header gave promoted Köln a winning start in a gritty encounter against ten-man Mainz.5 Mainz’s challenge was made even tougher after a red card for Nebel in the 60th minute. Köln capitalized on their numerical advantage, and the last-minute goal sent the home crowd into raptures. A huge result for Köln to begin their top-flight journey.
1. FC Heidenheim 1-3 VfL Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg made a solid start to their season with a comfortable win over Heidenheim. Goals from Skov Olsen, Svanberg, and a penalty from Amoura secured the victory. Heidenheim managed to pull one back through Scienza, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback.
SC Freiburg 1-3 FC Augsburg
Augsburg registered an emphatic away victory, putting three goals past Freiburg in the first half. Goals from Giannoulis, Matsima, and Wolf gave them a commanding lead. A second-half penalty from Grifo was a mere consolation for Freiburg, who will be disappointed with their defensive performance.
Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-0 Hamburger SV
The match between Gladbach and Hamburg ended in a stalemate, with neither team able to find the back of the net. It was a tight affair, and both sides will be looking for more attacking creativity in the coming weeks.
Player of the Week: Harry Kane (FC Bayern Munich)
While there were many standout performances, Harry Kane takes the Player of the Week crown for his spectacular hat-trick against RB Leipzig. His clinical finishing and intelligent movement were on full display, as he reminded everyone why he’s one of the most feared strikers in the world. His three goals were a masterclass in goal-scoring and cemented his status as Bayern’s primary talisman.
Team of the Week:
Formation: 4-3-3
- Goalkeeper: Kamil Grabara (VfL Wolfsburg) – Made several crucial saves to keep Wolfsburg in control against Heidenheim.
- Defender: Lukas Kübler (SC Freiburg) – Despite the loss, Kübler had a strong individual performance, scoring a rare brace.
- Defender: Niklas Süle (Borussia Dortmund) – A rock in the Dortmund defense despite the late collapse, showing improved form.
- Defender: Anton Stach (TSG Hoffenheim) – A natural midfielder who impressed at the back, winning duels and distributing the ball with high accuracy.
- Defender: Mitchell Weiser (SV Werder Bremen) – Was a constant threat down the flank, providing two assists in a tough match for his team.
- Midfielder: Michael Olise (FC Bayern Munich) – A sensational debut with a brace and an overall performance that showcased his immense talent and chemistry with the Bayern attack.6
- Midfielder: Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt) – A goal and two assists in his debut, forming a devastating partnership with Bahoya.
- Midfielder: Lovro Majer (VfL Wolfsburg) – Scored a crucial brace in Wolfsburg’s win, demonstrating his attacking quality from midfield.
- Forward: Jean-Matteo Bahoya (Eintracht Frankfurt) – A dynamic and effective performance, highlighted by his two goals and a potent partnership with Can Uzun.
- Forward: Andrej Kramarić (TSG Hoffenheim) – The veteran Croatian was the focal point of Hoffenheim’s attack, scoring a hat-trick and leading his team to a big win.
- Forward: Harry Kane (FC Bayern Munich) – A clear choice after his brilliant hat-trick, setting the tone for Bayern’s season.
This opening weekend of the Bundesliga has delivered on all fronts. Bayern has already established its dominance, while the likes of Frankfurt and Union Berlin have shown they are ready to compete. The dramatic draw at St. Pauli proved that even the newly promoted sides will not be easy to beat. The stage is now set for a thrilling season ahead.
