Bundesliga Matchday 5: Manuel Neuer under scrutiny, Hamburg revive, Bayer Leverkusen entertain

Matchday 5 after the international break delivered three clear takeaways, Manuel Neuer faces renewed scrutiny, Hamburg look revived, and Bayer Leverkusen are entertaining again. According to Get German Football News, the weekend’s action provided ample evidence across Augsburg, Hoffenheim and Mainz.

Augsburg opened the scoring within eight seconds, a Bundesliga record, after Neuer's attempted pass cannoned off Robin Fellhauer and went in. After the break he parried straight to Rodrigo Ribeiro, who restored Augsburg's lead at 2-1. Nathanial Brown's late strike spared Bayern and their goalkeeper.

With the 40-year-old likely in his final season, it may make sense to give Jonas Urbig more minutes if performances threaten to cost points. Hamburg had leaked 10 goals in two matches and sat in the relegation zone before the break. Since Merlin Polzin extended his contract they beat 1.FC Köln, then came from 2-1 down to win 3-2 at Hoffenheim.

Terem Moffi's equaliser was his first Bundesliga goal for HSV. They are up to 11th with a favourable run ahead. Hoffenheim appear to be sliding, despite heavy summer spending, sitting 17th with only one win and Europa League commitments to come.

Leverkusen's 4-3 at Mainz under Carles Martinez summed up the fun. Robert Andrich and Patrik Schick made it 2-0 inside 10 minutes, Anthony Caci levelled with a first-half brace, then Jarell Quansah and Moussa Diaby quickly pushed it to 4-2 with Diaby's first league goal since returning.

Benedict Hollerbach struck in the 92nd minute to tighten the finale. Die Werkself are fourth with the second-best attack in the top flight. “Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.” View publisher imprint