Bundesliga team of the week – Matchday 18
Axel Witsel is in our team of the week after showing his importance for Borussia Dortmund once again .
Matchday 18 – team of the week (4-1-2-1-2):
Goalkeeper: Michael Esser, Hannover 96 (2)
Michael Esser didn't keep a clean sheet against Werder Bremen, but if it wasn't for him, Hannover would definitely have lost by a much bigger margin than 1-0. The 31-year-old made several great saves and kept out 14 (!) shots throughout the match.
Right-back: Daniel Caligiuri, Schalke 04 (2)
Made the difference for Schalke with two goals. Stepped up to make it 1-0 from the penalty spot and later scored the 2-1 goal after cleverly cutting inside.
Centre-back: Julian Weigl, Borussia Dortmund
The midfielder delivered a very impressive performance in the 1-0 win over RB Leipzig - especially considering he was playing in the central defence.
Centre-back: Niko Elvedi, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Had a very solid game defensively and did well to bring the ball forward from defence. For instance, Elvedi started the move that led to the match-winning goal with a clever pass.
Left-back: Aaron Caricol, Mainz 05
Won 61 percent of his duels and was a lot on the ball in the 3-2 win over Stuttgart. In total, the left-back had 65 touches on the ball - more than any other Mainz player. Also set up Mainz's third goal from a corner.
Defensive midfielder: Axel Witsel, Borussia Dortmund (3)
Once again showed just how important he is for Borussia Dortmund as he helped his side to a 1-0 win over RB Leipzig. Witsel scored the match-winning goal and was involved in more duels and had more touches on the ball than any other Dortmund player. Hit a teammate with 92 percent of his passes and ran 11.5 kilometers.
Central midfielder: Leon Goretzka, Bayern München (2)
Did well to get in the box to score a brace in Bayern München's 3-1 win over Hoffenheim.
Central midfielder: Ondrej Duda, Hertha BSC (3)
Showed how good a finisher he is by grabbing two well-taken goals in Hertha's 3-1 win over FC Nürnberg.
Offensive midfielder: Ante Rebic, Eintracht Frankfurt
Had a great game in Eintracht Frankfurt's 3-1 win over Freiburg. Scored a wonderful goal after a nice little solo run and assisted Sebastien Haller's opener.
Striker: Milot Rashica, Werder Bremen
Was a handful to handle for the Hannover defence. Scored Werder's only goal and could have scored a lot one more time if it wasn't for Michael Esser in Hannover's goal.
Striker: Vedad Ibisevic, Hertha BSC (2)
The veteran worked extremely well together with striking partner Davie Selke in Hertha's 3-1 win over Nürnberg in which he scored and made an assist.
Matchday 18 – results:
Hoffenheim - Bayern München: 1-3
Hannover 96 - Werder Bremen: 0-1
FC Augsburg - Fortuna Düsseldorf: 1-2
Eintracht Frankfurt - SC Freiburg: 3-1
VfB Stuttgart - Mainz 05: 2-3
Bayer Leverkusen - Borussia Mönchengladbach: 0-1
RB Leipzig - Borussia Dortmund: 0-1
FC Nürnberg - Hertha BSC: 1-3
Schalke 04 - VfL Wolfsburg: 2-1