Our Bundesliga XI for August is dominated by Bayern Munich- Jupp Heynckes’ side have as many as five players in the WhoScored team. Three of the league leaders’ back-four take their place in our starting eleven, after a run of fixtures that has seen them concede just one goal in all competitions so far this campaign. MGladbach are the only other side to contribute more than one player, while a patchy start to the season means champions Dortmund fail to supply a single player to our line-up. Here’s a look at some of the stand-out performers:
Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich. WhoScored rating 7.44
The summer arrival of Rafinha has seen Lahm move to left-back this season but his performances have still caught the eye. While he has yet to register a goal or assist so far, Lahm’s attacking performances suggest he’ll soon be amongst the goals. He’s averaged 0.8 shots- the same as Franck Ribery- and has also played a major part creatively, making 1.3 key passes per game for Bayern.
When it comes to successful dribbles, only the attacking midfield trio of Arjen Robben (3.5), Ribery (2.5) and Thomas Muller (2) have managed more than Lahm’s 1.8- an indication of his attacking importance from deep. As a comparison, Rafinha has failed to make any on the right.
Lahm has made more passes (74.8) per game than any Bayern player and has a brilliant 91% accuracy. He tends not to cross from out wide –just 0.8 on average- instead making sure his side keep possession rather than play a risky ball into the box. However, he has made 11.8 long balls per game, feeding the likes of Robben and Ribery out wide, and has also stood out defensively. His 2.8 interceptions is the best of the Bayern back-four, while 2 tackles and 2.3 clearances per game highlight his importance at both ends of the pitch.
Benedikt Höwedes, Schalke 04. WhoScored rating 7.52
Schalke’s rise to second in the table has much to do with the performance of their centre half. Höwedes has played every one of his side’s four games and his defensive stats show just how important a contribution he has made- 2 tackles per game is reasonable but an eye-catching 6.5 interceptions and 6.3 clearances per game is head and shoulders above any other first-choice member of Ralf Rangnick’s back-four.
Höwedes has also blocked 0.3 shots per game and won 67% of aerial duels, and his ability in the air means he is always a goal threat- he’s averaged 0.8 shots per game and has already scored 1 goal for his side, in the 4-2 win at Mainz 05. Höwedes has also managed 1 successful dribble per game- double that of Raul- and in possession has averaged 0.5 key passes, with an overall 82% accuracy.
Marco Reus, Borussia MGladbach. WhoScored rating 8.31
The winger has been the driving force behind MGladbach’s transformation from relegation candidates last term to sitting sixth after four rounds of matches. While the club’s forwards Mike Hanke and Raul Bobadilla have scored just 1 goal between them despite a combined average of 4 shots per game, Reus has scored twice from just 1.3 shots per game.
Reus has been chief creator for MGladbach with 2.8 key passes per game but, due to his team mates’ poor finishing, has yet to grab an assist. His skill on the ball has seen Reus make 4.5 successful dribbles per game- almost double that of the left winger, Juan Arango (2.5), and he has averaged 1 successful cross, joint-top with his fellow wide man.
Reus has also stood out defensively- a brilliant 3 tackles per game –in addition to 1.8 interceptions- demonstrates a high work-rate and highlights just what an important player the twenty-two year old is for his side.
Clemens Fritz, Werder Bremen. WhoScored rating 7.71
His ball-winning ability in the middle of the park has been a major factor in Bremen’s strong start to the season. Fritz has made 5 tackles per game, easily the most of his side, and has also averaged 2 interceptions as he helped his side to third place in the Bundesliga.
In terms of distribution, the midfielder has averaged 35.5 passes per game with an 85% accuracy, and made 0.8 key passes on average over his four appearances. Fritz has also demonstrated an ability to take opponents on- his 2.3 successful dribbles is the second most impressive tally of any Bremen player. He’s also managed 0.5 shots per game from his role in Bremen’s 4-3-1-2 and has found the net once already.
Mario Gomez, Bayern Munich. WhoScored rating 8.11
His goals have helped fire the favourites to the top of the table. Gomez has found the net 4 times, the only player to score more than 1 goal for Bayern so far. It is of no surprise to see he’s had the most shots per game (4.3) then, with Arjen Robben next best with 3.5.
Gomez leaves the trickery to the attacking midfielders and as a result, has made no successful dribbles. He has managed 1.8 key passes per game, however, though has failed to pick up an assist as of yet. As the lone frontman in Bayern’s 4-2-3-1, he sees little of the ball- Gomez makes just 14.8 passes per game, the lowest of any team mate, but shows an impressive accuracy, with 85%.
In the air, he has been exceptional- perfect, in fact- winning 100% of aerial duels and has demonstrated a willingness to help out his defence, too, with 1.5 tackles and 1 interception per game.
