DW's Bundesliga Team of the week - Matchday 18
In the opening Bundesliga week of 2016, the football that had been missing for 33 days returned with a bang, and so did the players. Here is DW's team of the week, as chosen by our experts.
Goalkeeper: Oliver Baumann
Despite not keeping a clean sheet, Hoffenheim shot-stopper made several crucial saves to keep his side from losing the point they fought so hard to get. Against Javier Hernandez, Stefan Kießling, Hakan Calhanoglu and the rest, Baumann stood up to deny the team fighting for a Champions League place.
Defender: Mats Hummels
After months of criticsm on his performances so far this season, Borussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels showed the Bundesliga just how talented he is against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Defensively he was outstanding, but was able to set-up Dortmund's second goal with a superb tackle on Raffael. A defensive masterclass.
Defender: Papy Djilobodji
Not a bad way to make your debut. Papy Djilobodji was only just signed on loan by Werder Bremen from Premier League side Chelsea this week, but looked as if he had been a part of the Werder side for years. While Klass-Jan Huntelaar was in the goal-scoring mood in the first half on Sunday, Djilobodji kept the Dutchman quiet in the second half, as well as the other attacking threats around them.
Defender: Lukas Piszczek
Joining Borussia Dortmund teammate Mats Hummels in our team of the week, is Lukas Piszczek. The full-back was measured, composed and in control of the right-hand side of the Borussia-Park pitch. While Marco Reus crept further inside, Piszczek was able to handle the defensive load against Oscar Wendt and Fabian Johnson in style.
Midfielder: Stefan Aigner
A superhero always needs a side-kick, and that's exactly what Stefan Aigner became on Sunday against Wolfsburg, for Eintracht Frankfurt teammate Alex Meier. The winger assisted two of Meier's three goals in the win, the first a neat header inside the box and the second, showing his never-say-die attitude to nick the ball from Ricardo Rodriguez.
Midfielder: Lewis Holtby
Despite defeat against Bayern Munich in the opening Bundesliga game of 2016, it was Lewis Holtby who stood-out on the pitch. The Hamburg man had an omnipresence on the field, operating as a true box-to-box midifielder, beginning counter-attacks and haulting Bayern's in equal measure.
Midfielder: Clemens Fritz
In his 300th Bundesliga match - his first since announcing that he will retire from football at the end of the season - Werder Bremen captain Clemens Fritz looked far from 35 against Schalke on Sunday. Grabbing the equalizer just before half-time, the midfielder then got the assists for the second and third goals in what turned into a dominant win.
Midfielder: Ilkay Gündogan
It was a reminder of just how talented a player Ilkay Gündogan in on Saturday evening, against Borussia Mönchengladbach. As part of a three-man midifeld, Gündogan used the space he had to his advantage, setting-up the first goal for Marco Reus, starting the counter-attack for the second goal, and scoring the final goal for himself.
Midfielder: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Having told DW that he hopes to stay with Borussia Dortmund beyond this summer, Henrikh Mkhitaryan was another of the stars that shone for BVB against Borussia Mönchengladbach. His goal came from a well-measured run from the left-wing to meet Marco Reus' pass, before he assisted Ilkay Gündogan's goal to complete a stellar performance.
Forward: Sandro Wagner
In grabbing his fifth and sixth goals of the season for Darmstadt, Sandro Wagner proved his worth, and the smart work of the debut Bundesliga club in signing him. In an important game against the struggling Hannover, the three poinst were vital for Darmstadt to stay clear of a relegation battle, for now. His dominanting performance pushed his teammates on to hold on for the three points.
Forward: Alexander Meier
Hat-trick hero and Frankfurt "Fussball Gott", Alex Meier began 2016 in style with three second-half goals to send the Eagles soaring to three points. Meier proved his ability to finish from every opportunity with his three goals. The first a technically superb volley, the second a curling pearler and the third a composed finish to beat defenders and goalkeepers.