- In the initial stages, Stuttgart faltered, while Dortmund managed to maintain a scoreless tie in Bremen.
Stuttgart's Rocky Start Continues, Ties with Mainz After Lead Drops
The team from VfB Stuttgart began their Bundesliga season on a rocky note, tying 3:3 with FSV Mainz 05 following a 1:3 loss in their opener against Freiburg. Despite leading 2:0 and 3:2 at different points, they squandered these advantages, ending the match with a draw. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund, Champions League finalists, draw with Werder Bremen 0:0, also failing to secure a win. Newcomer Holstein Kiel continued their struggles with a 0:2 loss against VfL Wolfsburg in their first home game, marking their first pointless match of the season. Eintracht Frankfurt, however, emerged victorious in a 3:1 game against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.**
Remembering Lemke and Daum
In Bremen and Stuttgart, fans honored two legendary Bundesliga figures. Werder fans remembered Willi Lemke, former manager of Werder Bremen from 1981 to 1999, with a large choreography and special jerseys featuring "Thank you Willi" patches after his death on August 12, at 77. In Stuttgart, the late champion coach Christoph Daum, who passed away on August 24 after a bout with cancer, was remembered with long applause from the fans.**
Mainz Strikes Back Against Stuttgart
Following quick goals from Enzo Millot (8') and Jamie Leweling (15'), Mainz managed to tie the match through a controversial penalty by Nadiem Amiri (43'). In the second half, Mainz scored again through Jonathan Burkardt (62'), and the game turned chaotic in the final stages. VfB regained the lead through Fabian Rieder (88'), but Maxim Leitsch equalized in the 94th minute (90.+4).**
Scoreless Draw for Dortmund, and a Sent-Off for Schlotterbeck
Borussia Dortmund struggled in Bremen, finishing the match scoreless, with defender Nico Schlotterbeck receiving a red card for repeated fouls in the 73rd minute.**
Home Debut Woes for Kiel
The Northern Germans faced a difficult debut at home, losing 0:2 against VfL Wolfsburg following the dismissal of a 2:1 lead last week. The newcomer, like the second-promoted FC St. Pauli, remain without a point in the Bundesliga.**
Eintracht Frankfurt Secures a Hard-Earned Victory
Top striker Hugo Ekitike (24') and Hugo Larsson (33') gave Frankfurt a 2:0 lead, with Omar Marmoush instrumental in both goals. Marmoush then scored the third goal (56') to secure the win after André Kramarić momentarily reduced the deficit with the fourth goal of the season for Borussia Mönchengladbach. In the game against VfL Bochum, the reunion with Kevin Stöger, who played a significant role in Bochum's survival last season, resulted in a win for the visiting team. Tim Kleindienst scored the first goal from a Stöger setup (67'), while Franck Honorat sealed the win later in the second half.**
The newcomer Holstein Kiel faced another challenging match, losing 0-2 to VfL Wolfsburg, extending their winless streak in the Bundesliga. VfL Wolfsburg, with their victory, moved up in the standings, showcasing their strong start to the season.
