Bundesliga round-up: Bayer Leverkusen shock form side Bremen

Bayern Munich cut Borussia Dortmund’s lead at the top of the Bundesliga to two points after the latter could only manage a 2-2 draw with Hertha Berlin on Saturday. Werder Bremen, who have been something of a surprise package this season, failed to capitalise on Dortmund’s stalemate after slipping to a shock 6-2 defeat at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.

Bremen had only conceded eight goals in eight league matches prior to facing Leverkusen and only three in four on home turf. However, Leverkusen, who have endured a nightmare start to the campaign, ran rampant.

Kevin Volland is one of several Leverkusen players that have massively underperformed this term but the 26-year-old turned in his best display of the campaign at Weser-Stadium. Volland played a direct hand in three of Leverkusen’s six goals, more than he had managed in his previous eight games combined (2).

Volland opened the scoring after eight minutes before setting up Karim Bellarabi on the stroke of half-time and Kai Havertz midway through the second half. He earned a WhoScored rating of 9.70 to finish the weekend as the highest rated Bundesliga player.

Leverkusen weren’t the only big winners in Germany this weekend, with Hoffenheim thumping Stuttgart 4-0. Iskah Belfodil has barely featured for Hoffenheim this season but caught the eye against Stuttgart, netting twice.

The 26-year-old had five shots against Stuttgart, won two aerial duels and completed two dribbles. The Algerian gained a WhoScored rating of 9.61 to finish as the second highest rated player from gameweek nine.

In order to round off the top three highest WhoScored rated players from the weekend’s Bundesliga action, we have to return to Leverkusen’s huge victory. Kai Havertz has reserved his best performances for the Europa League this season but finally delivered in the league.

The 19-year-old scored a brace against Werder Bremen, from four shots. The teenage sensation also completed three tackles and interceptions combined and drew three fouls to finish with a WhoScored rating of 9.23.

While the aforementioned trio flourished, the same cannot be said for Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer. The 29-year-old conceded three goals in a shock 3-1 defeat to Freiburg to garner a WhoScored rating of 5.11 – the lowest in GW9. Sommer committed his second error leading to goal for the campaign, preventing any comeback from the away side.