2. Bundesliga Updates: A coach axed; crowded bunch at the top
Just four matchdays into the season, the potentially scrappiest league in world football is showing off once again.
For a club that is supposed to make another charge immediately back into the top flight, Arminia Bielefeld have recorded a massive zero points through their first four matches. Manager Ulrich Forte received one of the quicker dismissals in recent memory on Wednesday, as Bielefeld are now tied with Eintracht Braunschweig for the worst side in the second division.
Paderborn have probably been the more impressive side out of the four clubs tied at the top with nine points. Not only did they win their DFB-Pokal first round match 10-0, Paderborn also rolled through Karlsruher 5-0 on Matchday 1. Their only loss is against a decent Düsseldorf side, as Paderborn lead the second division in goals and total shots. Striker Felix Platte has even recorded four goals in as many games.
Hamburg, possibly the favorite for promotion to begin the season, are also steadily trending upwards with three wins in the first four weeks. They lead the league in pass accuracy, crosses and possession of the ball, as opposing defenses continue to struggle guarding Robert Glatzel inside the box.
In other news, trainer Frank Schmidt (as he’s done for the last 15 years) continues to work wonders at Heidenheim, who join the group at the top with Darmstadt. Kaiserslautern have also shown glimpses of promise in their deserved return to the second division. Jahn Regensberg are off to their usual decent early start to the season (before it all comes crashing down). Hannover and Nürnberg have both disappointed, but let’s face it:
There’s a long, long way to go in this crazy league.