Wolfsburg Win

The story of Wolfsburg's home opener was written in the space of only six minutes. After a bright start by visitors Frankfurt, the Wolves got their claws on the lead in the 13th minute. Newly acquired Max Kruse put in a perfect cross for Ivan Perisic to head down and in.

The goal came against the run of play and put the Eagles back on their heels. Four minutes later, there was confusion in the Frankfurt area, and the ball fell to Bas Dost. The giant Dutchman did what he does best - hung around in promising spaces and slotted home any balls that happened to come his way. 2-0 to Wolfsburg.

Frankfurt got a lifeline in after 19 minutes. Haris Seferovic threaded in an expert ball for Stefan Reinartz, and the midfielder was on the money on debut. At that point, the match had the makings of a classic.

It wasn't to be. Wolfsburg were content to defend their advantage, and Frankfurt lacked the nous to break them them down.

"Wolfsburg had the first two chances and took them - that's what they're like," Reinartz said after the match. "It was an even game, and Wolfsburg were the smarter team."

The remaining 70 minutes were nearly devoid of highlights, and Wolfsburg earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory.

Cologne steal win in Stuttgart

The late Sunday match was a near mirror image of the early one, with the two teams locked in a stale-mate for the first 75 minutes, and almost all of the scoring coming in a four-minute span.

Cologne have a deserved reputation as one of the Bundesliga's stingiest sides, and that parsimony was on display as they held the superior hosts at bay for three-quarters of an hour.

The Billy Goats' summer acquisitions were focused around improving the team's attack. And they came good. Anthony Modeste, brought in from Hoffenheim, drew a penalty and converted to break the ice with 15 minutes to play. And two minutes later, Simon Zoller - recalled from a loan last season to second-division Kaiserslautern - doubled the visitors' advantage.

Stuttgart pressed and got one back when Filip Kostic forced a penalty after 79 minutes. Daniel Didavi kept his nerves from the spot. But the hosts couldn't find another goal, and Yuya Osako completed then 3-1 scoreline in injury time after a selfless pass by Modeste.

The result was unlucky for Stuttgart, who rattled the woodwork twice early on, but that won't unduly trouble Cologne, as the Billy Goats get off to a winning start to 2015-16.