DW's Bundesliga team of the week - Matchday 24+25
After a busy week that included two matchdays, DW's team picks its Bundesliga team of the week. From all the action of matchday 24 to 'Der Klassiker' and more of matchday 25, here are the eleven players who stood out.
Roman Bürki
There have been times this season when Dortmund fans have wondered about Roman Bürki. Is he really the keeper for us? Well, his performance against Bayern put an end to that as the Swiss goalkeeper made a superb save to deny Arturo Vidal in the second half. Considering his performance in the reverse fixture, this was a timely display from Bürki.
Georg Niedermeier
It can't be easy being Georg Niedermeier. Having seen few minutes under former Stuttgart head coach Alexander Zorniger, the central defender has been a mainstay under new boss Jürgen Kramny. On matchday 24, Gladbach battered Stuttgart and Niedermeier had a day to forget. A few days later, the defender scored two and Stuttgart won 5-1. He has been largely good for a while now.
Joshua Kimmich
A monstrous performance from the 21-year-old had Pep Guardiola shouting instructions at him after the final whistle. Later, the Spaniard said he loved Kimmich because he was constantly looking to learn. After shutting out Dortmund's lightning attack, the sky's the limit for the talented German.
Mats Hummels
After a shaky start, Hummels put in a fine performance in the center of Dortmund's defense. Leading by example, Hummels threw himself in front of everything and played some lovely deep passes out of the defense. At times this season, he has looked short of his best, but as the schedule has got busier for Dortmund, Hummels' form has kept pace.
Nicolai Müller
Hamburg needed a hero on Sunday and Nicolai Müller delivered, twice, to hand the home side a deserved win against high-flying Hertha. That caps a three goal week for the attacker after he scored in the defeat to Schalke. Ever since he joined from Mainz, Müller has consistently looked one of the best players in Hamburg colors.
Younes Belhanda
The Moroccan midfielder has quietly impressed since arriving in the January transfer window, and although not involved in any of Schalke's goals in either matchday, he was a big reason why they collected six points in that time. He has quickly slotted into the team and has improved their midfield quality even further. His signing could be crucial come the end of the season.
Andre Schürrle
Wolfsburg sealed a six-point week and have Andre Schürrle to thank for inspiring them after the former Chelsea midfielder scored a sensational hat-trick in Hanover. Amusingly, the treble came exactly two years to the day of his last one. His third goal was the pick of the bunch, with Schürrle controlling the ball on his chest before firing home.
Ja-Cheol Koo
Koo must have been in disbelief at the end of Augsburg's game against Leverkusen. His hat-trick had the hosts in a brilliant position, but somehow it wasn't enough to seal victory as the visitors scored a last-minute penalty to level the scores. Koo's performance though, was superb as the South Korean scored at will.
Max Meyer
While all the talk was once about Leroy Sane, now it seems to be about Max Meyer as Schalke's magical midfield continues to deliver. Meyer scored two and assisted one across both matchdays, and both goals were superbly taken. Still just 20-years-old, the midfielder could sneak into Germany's Euro squad if he keeps this form up.
Claudio Pizarro
The 37-year-old rolled back the years this week, scoring a hat-trick and then a smashing solo goal against Hannover to complete a magical week for both the striker and his beloved Bremen. Considered a gamble at the start of the season, Pizarro has proven his fitness and his quality, and he could be the reason Werder survive.
Jhon Cordoba
If only Cordoba had scored the winner against Darmstadt then his week would have truly been sensational. That being said, scoring the winner against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena was remarkable enough and with three goals in his last four games, the 22-year-old striker has certainly replaced the injured Yoshinori Muto.