With defending champion Bayern Munich and runner-up Borussia Dortmund already dropping points, Bayer leverkusen is setting the early season pace in the Bundesliga. Here are some things to know about this weekend’s Bundesliga games:
INJURY CURSE: Borussia Dortmund’s injury worries deepened during the break with Marco Reus the biggest casualty. The attacking midfielder was ruled out for four weeks with a left ankle injury sustained in Germany’s European Championship qualifier against Scotland. New signing Ciro Immobile was stretchered off at the end of Italy’s win over Norway, though the Italian striker’s injury is not as serious as initially feared. Dortmund hosts Freiburg on Saturday.
DEBUTANTS’ DAY: Kagawa isn’t the only player likely to make his season debut for a new club this weekend. Mehdi Benatia should start for Bayern Munich against Stuttgart. The Moroccan defender was signed from Roma for a reported 26 million euros ($34 million) to fill the gap after Javi Martinez tore knee ligaments. Benatia was rejected five years ago by Freiburg.
lIGHTNING lEVERKUSEN: No Bundesliga side has made a better start to the season than leverkusen. The team has won all five games across all competitions under new coach Roger Schmidt, while it is on a seven-game winning run altogether. Part of the side’s success is down to attacking straight from kickoff. Karim Bellarabi scored in the ninth second against Dortmund for the Bundesliga’s quickest ever goal in the opening match.
RIBERY RETURNS: Franck Ribery’s declaration of health has come at the right time for Bayern, which has seven games in 21 days coming up. Ribery is sticking by his decision to retire from international duty despite criticism from UEFA President Michel Platini.