As it happened: Wednesday's Matchday 4 action
The first englische Woche of the 2016/17 Bundesliga season continued on Wednesday, as FC Bayern München made it four wins from four against Hertha Berlin. 1. FC Köln kept up their remarkable start to the campaign with a come-from-behind win at FC Schalke 04, who remain pointless, while Borussia Dortmund thrashed VfL Wolfsburg with a devastating display on Tuesday.
Matchday 4 results
How is your Official Fantasy Bundesliga team getting on after the midweek action?
Wednesday
FC Bayern München 3-0 Hertha Berlin
RB Leipzig 1-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Bayer 04 Leverkusen 0-0 FC Augsburg
FC Schalke 04 1-3 1. FC Köln
SV Werder Bremen 1-2 1. FSV Mainz 05
Tuesday
VfL Wolfsburg 1-5 Borussia Dortmund
SV Darmstadt 98 1-1 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
SC Freiburg 1-0 Hamburger SV
FC Ingolstadt 04 0-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Relive all of Tuesday's action here!
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FULL TIME!
Bayern 3-0 Hertha
Bremen 1-2 Mainz
Leipzig 1-1 Gladbach
Leverkusen 0-0 Augsburg
Schalke 1-3 Köln
90’+3 - Leverkusen 0-0 Augsburg
A monster one-handed save by Hitz to surely secure the visitors a point! Julian Brandt crosses from the right and substitute Stefan Kießling meets it full on, but Hitz dives to his right and claws it away!
90’+2 - Bremen 1-2 Mainz
Pablo de Blasis scores another header, as he breaks Werder Bremen’s hearts in the dying moments of the game.
87' - Bremen 1-1 Mainz
Heartache for Bremen as Yunus Malli equalizes for the visitors.
84’ GOAL! Schalke 1-3 Köln
Köln have surely put this one to bed. Substitute Salih Özcan has only been on the pitch two minutes as he worms his way past two Schalke defenders – going to ground, but getting to his feet to set up fellow sub Simon Zoller for a simple finish.
77' - GOAL! Schalke 1-2 Köln
Köln take the lead! The visitors have barely threatened in the second half, but Anthony Modeste puts them in front after a superb ball across from substitute Konstantin Rausch. That’s four goals in four games for the Frenchman.
72’ - MISSED PENALTY! Leverkusen 0-0 Augsburg
Leverkusen miss from the penalty spot for the second time this season! Charles Aranguiz steps up to take it and although Augsburg goalkeeper Marwin Hitz dives to his right, the Werkself midfielder blazes his effort well wide of the opposite post!
71’ - GOAL! Bayern 3-0 Hertha
Hertha’s resistance is well and truly broken. Bayern work the ball tidily from left to right, with Arjen Robben cutting onto his famous left foot and firing in his first Bundesliga goal since 2 March.
71' - Bremen 1-0 Mainz
The match remains a tight affair with chances at both ends of the pitch. Mainz look more likely to score the next goal, though.
70’ - PENALTY! Leverkusen 0-0 Augsburg
Penalty to Leverkusen as Kevin Volland is felled in the box as he looks to bring down Stefan Kießling’s dinked pass.
67’ - GOAL! Bayern 2-0 Hertha
Seconds after Robert Lewandowski has a goal ruled out for offside, Bayern double their tally to surely put the contest out of sight. Thiago robs Bundesliga debut Allan and has the simple task of slotting beyond Rune Jarstein.
64' - Bayern 1-0 Hertha
Standing ovation as Robben enters the fray in place of Thomas Müller. It's the Dutchman's first competitive appearance for Bayern since March following injury.
60’ - Schalke 1-1 Köln
It’s as you were at the VELTINS Arena, which has settled down after those fireworks at the end of the first half. Schalke are controlling possession, with Bentaleb in particular pulling the strings, but Köln continue to look dangerous on the counter-attack.
56’ - Bayern 1-0 Hertha
Don’t look now, Hertha fans. Arjen Robben is warming up on the touchline. The Dutchman has six goals in seven appearances against tonight’s visitors…
50’ - Leipzig 1-0 Gladbach
Marvin Compper heads towards goal, but he doesn’t get enough power behind the ball and Sommer clings on with ease.
46’ - Leverkusen 0-0 Augsburg
Chicharito tries his luck within 20 seconds of the restart, smashing a dipping effort goalwards from the edge of the box that Hitz does well to punch clear.
SECOND HALF!
Back underway...
HALF TIME!
Here's the state of play at the interval...
Bayern 1-0 Hertha
Bremen 1-0 Mainz
Leipzig 1-0 Gladbach
Leverkusen 0-0 Augsburg
Schalke 1-1 Köln
43’ - Leverkusen 0-0 Augsburg
A lovely attack from Leverkusen ends with Volland pulling the ball back to the unmarked Charles Aranguiz, 18 yards out. However, the Chile international rushes his effort and smashes it over with the goal at his mercy.
38' - GOAL! Schalke 1-1 Köln
The VELTINS Arena is still celebrating Huntelaar’s goal when Osako brings the visitors level! A ball comes in from the left, Modeste touches it down, and the man from Japan fires it home. Game on.
38' - Bremen 1-0 Mainz
Both sides have gone close at the Weser Stadium. Leven Öztunali missed a good opportunity for 1. FSV Mainz from ten yards out, and at the other side Ousman Manneh failed to find the target after latching onto a long ball over the top of the visiting defence.
36’ - GOAL! Schalke 1-0 Köln
They finally have their first goal of the season! Seconds after Choupo-Moting is denied by a fine save from Horn, Bentaleb threads a brilliant ball through to Huntelaar, who puts the Royal Blues ahead with a fine finish.
33’ - Schalke 0-0 Köln
Schalke are starting to exert more pressure on Köln, who seem content to sit back and hit on the counter. The hosts are trying to get a lively-looking Baba involved down the left flank, while Huntelaar has just had a shot blocked by his team-mate Choupo-Moting. Better from the Royal Blues.
32’ - Bayern 1-0 Hertha
Robert Lewandowski gets on the end of Arturo Vidal’s floated through ball, but the Poland international’s first-time lob sails over.
29’ - Leverkusen 0-0 Augsburg
Chicharito, who is by no means the biggest player on the pitch, pulls off an absolutely massive leap to meet an in-swinging free-kick from the right, but his header is straight at Marwin Hitz.
27' - Leipzig 1-0 Gladbach
So unlucky... Fabian Johnson goes agonisingly close to an equaliser at the Red Bull Arena, rattling a powerful effort against the crossbar.
25’ - Bayern 1-0 Hertha
Bayern in full flight as Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller combine to tee up Franck Ribery. Rune Jarstein’s rooted to the spot, but the Frenchman’s shot fizzes narrowly wide.
21' - Schalke 0-0 Köln
We’ve seen a little more of Schalke after a quiet opening few minutes, but neither goalkeeper has been tested yet. Schalke captain Benedikt Höwedes has just had the first attempt on target, an easy one for Timo Horn to deal with.
15' - Schalke 0-0 Köln
Unsurprisingly, unbeaten Köln have settled into their game with struggling Schalke a little quicker than the hosts, who are looking for a first Bundesliga win at the VELTINS Arena since March. Marcel Risse has had a couple of half-chances for the visitors, but there is nothing major to report after 15 minutes.
12' - GOAL! Bremen 1-0 Mainz
Izet Hajrovic sends the Weser Stadium into raptures with a stunning effort from 25 yards, which leaves Mainz keeper Jonas Lössl with no chance. Alexander Nouri punches the air in delight.
6' - GOAL! Leipzig 1-0 Gladbach
Timo Werner picks up where he left off on Saturday as he turns brilliantly inside the box and fires past the stranded Yann Sommer. What a start by the high-flying hosts!
KICK-OFF!
All five of tonight's games are underway. Who can strike first in part two of this englische Woche?
19:46 - Huntelaar to the rescue for Schalke?
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has been a regular goal-getter for the Royal Blues in recent years. Can he get them a first goal this evening - and more importantly, their first points?
19:27 - And, last but not least, SV Werder Bremen vs 1. FSV Mainz 05
19:22 - FC Schalke 04 vs 1. FC Köln
19:17 - Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs FC Augsburg
19:11 - RB Leipzig and Borussia Mönchengladbach...
19:00 - And the Hertha side that will look to upset the champions...
18:55 - Here is Bayern's line-up...
18:53 - Leipzig hope to keep flying against Gladbach
New boys RB Leipzig have had a tremendous start to life in the Bundesliga, with two wins and a draw. Can they make the most of Borussia Mönchengladbach's miserable away record and remain unbeaten?
18:40 - A little appetiser...
We've got around an hour and twenty minutes before Wednesday's action gets underway, and we'll be bringing you all the line-ups as soon as they're available. In the meantime, find out what has happened so far on a busy Matchday 4.
18:25 - Lewandowski has Hertha in his sights
Robert Lewandowski scored a whopping 30 Bundesliga goals last term, but none of them came in Bayern München's two wins over Hertha Berlin. Will the Polish goal-machine finally find the target against the capital club tonight?
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17:37 - Gladbach hoping for more success on their travels
Borussia Mönchengladbach have no issues when it comes to their home games. The Foals are enjoying a nine-game winning streak in the Bundesliga at BORUSSIA-PARK, stretching all the way back to February. But their form on the road is a very different matter. They've only won once since October 2015 - that's a single away victory in 12 outings. Coach André Schubert will hope they can start improving on that record from this evening, as they travel to high-flying RB Leipzig.
Click here for all the Leipzig-Gladbach team news.
17:07 - Home sweet home?
The VELTINS Arena is ready as out-of-form FC Schalke 04 prepare to host in-form 1. FC Köln. Can the Royal Blues finally win at home in the Bundesliga, for the first time since March?
16:45 - Rock-bottom Bremen ready for new start under Nouri
Like Schalke, SV Werder Bremen have started the season with three defeats, and prop up the Bundesliga table with a -10 goal difference. Coach Viktor Skripnik has gone, replaced by U23 coach Alexander Nouri - who is hoping to earn Werder their first points of the season against 1. FSV Mainz 05.
New signing Serge Gnabry has been given the green light for Werder, days after scoring his first goal for the club, but USMNT striker Aron Johannsson is suspended. Mainz, who beat FC Augsburg on Sunday, are set to rest Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Giulio Donati.
Click here for full team news.
16:30 - The secret to Bayern's success?
16:10 - Robben ready to rumble
FC Bayern München winger Arjen Robben could make his first Bundesliga appearance since March against Hertha Berlin tonight. The Flying Dutchman has been sidelined for six months due to a persistent groin injury.
For more team news, click here!
16:02 - Leverkusen and Augsburg hoping to bounce back
Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Augsburg are both looking to get back to winning ways after losing this weekend. In fact, only goal difference separates the two sides, who have both kicked off the campaign with a win sandwiched between two losses.
Bayer coach Roger Schmidt will hope Javier Hernandez is firing on all cylinders, after opening his account for 2016/2017 on Matchday 3. Aleksandar Dragovic could make his debut for the hosts, while captain Lars Bender is expected to return. Meanwhile, for visitors Augsburg, Gojko Kacar is expected to replace the injured Dominik Kohr.
Click here for full team news.
15:40 - Schalke finally off the mark?
FC Schalke 04 have had a thoroughly miserable start to the new Bundesliga campaign. The Royal Blues - who finished fifth last season - have yet to pick up a point or even score a goal, but they're hoping to change that tonight at home to in-form 1. FC Köln. Coach Markus Weinzierl could recall midfielder Johannes Geis for his set-piece prowess as they look to get off the mark in 2016/17.
Köln, on the other hand, have won two and drawn one, and even went briefly top of the table on Matchday 3. The main personnel worry for coach Peter Stöger is attacking midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt, who looks set to miss out with a muscle strain.
Click here for full team news.
14:32 - Dragovic debut?
Coach Roger Schmidt could make a few changes to Bayer 04 Leverkusen's line-up against Augsburg. Aleksandar Dragovic could make his debut in defence, and captain Lars Bender is expected to make his return to the starting XI.
Meanwhile, Gojko Kacar should step in to replace the injured Dominik Kohr for the visitors and both Jonathan Schmid and Philipp Max may feature at some point during the game.
13:07 - Hazard-ous record for Leipzig, though!
Thorgan Hazard might fancy his chances of damaging Leipzig's home record. The prodigious Belgian has scored six goals in his last five games. bundesliga.com went to meet Chelsea FC star Eden's younger brother last year, when he was still on loan from the London club. Click the video below to shed some light on how the younger Hazard honed his goalscoring touch!:
12:53 - Bullish home record
RB Leipzig have not lost at home since slipping up to SV Sadhausen in Bundesliga 2 in April, and they put high-flying Borussia Dortmund to the sword the last time they played at their Red Bull Arena.
12:14 - Theatre of Dreams?
The Schlauchboot [Inflatable boat] has been witness to some stunning football over the last decade. Take a closer look inside the Allianz Arena with our stadium watch:
11:47 - Berlin ambition
FC Bayern München swapped their Olympic Stadium for the Allianz Arena in 2005. Hertha Berlin still play in their 74,475-capacity Olympiastadion. Can the capital club rain on Bayern's parade when they make the nearly-600 kilometre journey south to Bavaria?
10:30 - Bayern ring the changes
FC Bayern München are expected to make several changes to the side that defeated FC Ingolstadt 04 3-1 at the weekend. Philipp Lahm, David Alaba, Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels have recovered from illness while Jerome Boateng is likely to return to Carlo Ancelotti's starting XI.
Bundesliga Audio
Remember you can listen to the whole match live as FC Bayern München take on Hertha Berlin in the big match of the night.
Wednesday overview
Leverkusen wary of FCA
Die Werkself head coach Roger Schmidt is not taking anything for granted ahead of tomorrow's visit of FC Augsburg, saying:
"Augsburg have been difficult to play against for years - their change of coach in the summer has done nothing to change that."
Kiessling nearing return to fitness
Good news from Bayer 04 Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt about striker Stefan Kiessling.
Ancelotti on Hertha
Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the leaders viewed the visit of Hertha Berlin on Wednesday as a real top of the table clash.
Nouri's Bundesliga bow
What a couple of days it's been for this man. Can Alexander Nouri get off to a winning start as SV Werder Bremen head coach? His side take on Mainz on Wednesday - only Bayern have scored more Bundesliga goals against the Zero-fivers than Werder. Good omen, perhaps?
Quartet still missing for Borussia
However, Gladbach's personnel situation remains unchanged ahead of the to Leipzig, according to Andre Schubert. Patrick Herrmann, Josip Drmic, Alvaro Dominguez and Mamadou Doucoure are all still out injured.
"It's going to be a difficult game. Leipzig are tough in the tackle, dangerous on the counter and play at a high tempo," says Schubert. "They've also bought some very good players. They aren't an ordinary promoted side."
Bittencourt blow
Köln boss Peter Stöger: "Leonardo Bittencourt is unavailable for tomorrow..."
The former Hannover 96 star suffered a thigh injury in the Billy Goats' win over Freiburg last time out.
Weinzierl defiant
Markus Weinzierl hasn't enjoyed the best of starts to life in the FC Schalke 04 hot seat, but the former FC Augsburg boss has a full squad to choose from for Wednesday's clash with high-flying Köln, and is confident his players can turn things around.
Fantasy Update
Flo 'The Scout' Reinecke has left a life-size cut out of himself in the lounge for my wife and kids to remember me by. Why? It’s midweek-fixture time in the Bundesliga and he’s on call 24/7. His notebook is crammed with names that will help you climb the Official Fantasy Bundesliga table.
Take advantage of Flo’s Official Fantasy Bundesliga tips here
Tuesday recap
Borussia Dortmund's blistering goalscoring run continued with Dieter Hecking's VfL Wolfsbug this time on the receiving end of a black-and-yellow lesson in finishing. Dortmund became the first team to breach the Wolfsburg defense this season and ran out 5-1 winners.
Eintracht Frankfurt made it three wins from four with a 2-0 victory at FC Ingolstadt 04, whose search for a first victory this season goes on.
As conclusions go, they don't come more dramatic than that witnessed at the Jonathan-Heimes-Stadion. Trailing to Andrej Kramaric's opener - scored within seconds of the restart – SV Darmstadt 98 came back to rescue a point two minutes into stoppage time as Denys Olinyk's first ever Bundesliga goal denied Hoffenheim maximum points.
SC Freiburg recorded their eighth straight victory on home soil with a 1-0 win over Hamburger SV - a result that plunges the northern giants into deep trouble.
Click here for a full overview of all the action.
09:00 - Guten morgen
We just just about managed to get some sleep after the excitement of Tuesday night in the Bundesliga and are off to grab some coffee before the drama begins again this evening. In the meantime, take your time to digest the best of Tuesday’s action and the vital information ahead of Wednesday’s action.
Head to our brand new Match Centre for all the latest on all the fixtures