Bundesliga, Round Four: Dortmund and Schalke dominate
It was a weekend of big fixtures in the Buli.
Bayern and RB Leipzig fought out a 1-1 draw, Dortmund smashed a hapless Leverkusen 4-0, while Schalke smashed poor Paderborn 5-1 away.
Harit has been struggling for form in 2019 and hasn't made much of an impact on a Schalke team in transition, but he stepped up in the second half against Paderborn. His two superb finishes and scintillating dribbling skills made the difference and will give his team a platform from which to build towards a better season than last year's disappointment.
The Monchengladbach stalwart is one of the most reliable and consistent goalkeepers in the Bundesliga and here his exemplary shot-stopping skills helped turn what could have been a defeat or a draw into victory over Koln. His seven saves were the difference in a tight match and his MOTM display earned the victory.
Marco Reus is finally back and playing consistently after years of injury frustration and here he teamed with Paco Alcacer and Jadon Sancho to blistering effect. Dortmund destroyed Leverkusen on the break and Reus remains essential; he touched the ball just 36 times but made most of them count, with two superb finishes, the clinching fourth a particular highlight.
He may not be the most stylish of players but with the attacking talent in Dortmund's side, Delaney may prove himself essential across the season. Winning three tackles and aerials while making seven interceptions and four clearances,
Serdar provided a driving force from midfield that Schalke have seriously lacked in recent months. He won 6/7 tackles, 2/2 of his aerial challenges and in a second half where Schalke dominated the ball, he got them off to the best possible start by putting them in front, setting the tone for a great day's work.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Joshua Kimmich (8.0) continues to produce a consistently high level of performance for Bayern Munich and goes generally under radar; his display drover Bayern to a composed away performance in Leipzig.
Wout Weghorst (7.4) has been one of the most consistent goalscorers in the Bundesliga in 2019 and he has maintained that form this season, netting his fourth goal or assist in all competitions so far.
WEEKEND TO FORGET
Mohamed Drager (5.0) had a horrid time dealing with Schalke in full flow as Paderborn took a beating.
Elsewhere, Sheraldo Becker (5.3), the Union Berlin wideman, contrived to lose the ball 12 times from just 23 touches as his side went down 2-1 to Werder Bremen.