Leipzig a week ago: Julian Nagelsmann spoke publicly to his crew. Calm, but definitely the coach of RB Leipzig analyzed the 1: 2 defeat against SC Freiburg. He leaves his players many freedoms, Nagelsmann said. "But if that gets the players in the wrong neck, that they enjoy more playful freedom, then you have to turn that back."
Nagelsmann's criticism has worked. His players responded to the famous quote from the movie "Braveheart": "They may take our lives, but they never take away our freedom!" Already in the week they succeeded in the Cup a 6-1 victory against VfL Wolfsburg. At the weekend followed an 8-0 against FSV Mainz. 14: 1 goals in two games: Not even Nagelsmann himself would have dared to dream that his criticism unfolds such an effect.
After the eight-goal triumph against Mainz Leipzig dominated the top-ten of the tenth game day. Especially Timo Werner stands out. He benefits from the freedoms in Nagelsmann's system: The center forward may often drop or dodge the wings. Nagelsmann knows: Werner is especially dangerous when he can start from the bottom and pick up speed. If Werner runs once to the gate, he is unstoppable. Against Mainz, the national forward contributed three goals and three assists to the runaway victory.
Borussia Dortmund cheered again after last difficult weeks. In the 3-0 win over Wolfsburg BVB showed one of his strongest season performances. They earned themselves numerous scoring opportunities. Wolfsburg proved by no means as easy opponent. They also had chances, but knew how to thwart goalkeeper Marwin Hitz . The replacement of injured goalkeeper Roman Bürki parried three shots from close range. Thus, he scored the best score of all Bundesliga goalies on the weekend.
Cross, back, over again: The TSG managed the 3-0 lead against Paderborn for long stretches, without playing forward. Center-back Kevin Vogt played 172 passes, all of them came to the teammates. He set a Bundesliga record. Although Benjamin Hübner played fewer passes (139) and showed no flawless game. His passes, however, were a bit riskier and his defensive stats were stronger. Hübner is thus in the top eleven and not Vogt. Lukas Klostermann , otherwise as right-back for Leipzig and the DFB-Elf in action, also managed the leap into the top-eleven on the unfamiliar center-back position, thanks to a goal against Mainz.
Like Klostermann, Marcel Halstenberg also entered the top scorer list at the weekend. He reached the second highest SPIX of all full-backs. Better was only Bremen's Theodor Gebre Selassie . He not only scored in the 2-2 draw against Freiburg, but also convinced as a ballerover: Bremer caught seven passes, more than any other Bundesliga player on this matchday.
Hoffenheim's players played pass to pass against Paderborn. So also six Florian Grillitsch . With 91 feeds he could not quite keep up with Vogt and Hübner. But his passes had more effect: Grillitsch put up a goal and two other great opportunities. That qualifies him for the eleven of the week.
Filip Kostic is in the form of his life. The left wing is the focal point of the Frankfurt offensive. With his tempo dribbling he puts chance for chance for his colleagues. So far, he has always narrowly missed the top-eleven despite strong scores. A goal and a goal preparation in the 5: 1-success against the FC Bayern bring him his first nomination of the season. Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku also celebrates his top-eleventh debut. He prepared two goals and scored one goal himself.
Kerem Demirbay does not have an easy time in Leverkusen. In Hoffenheim he was game designer and key player last season, almost every attack was on him. At his new club Bayer he has yet to get used to the complex ball possession system of coach Peter Bosz. After Demirbay even sat on the bench at the beginning of the season, the injury of Charles Aránguiz flushed him back into the starting lineup. Slowly but surely he finds his former form: In the 1: 2 defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach he prepared four chances to score. Only at his fit accuracy, he still has to work, this was with 75% below his potential.
The storm of the top-eleven is firmly in Leipzig hands - no wonder, if a team shoots eight goals. Timo Werner is set with his six goals. His strike partner Yussuf Poulsen was only involved in two goals (one goal, one assist). But he convinced in a classic Leipzig discipline: the pressing. Poulsen conquered seven second balls, he also won the ball three more times. The improved defensive performance was a partial aspect, why the response of the Leipzig players on Nagelsmann's criticism was so brilliant.
