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Bundesliga Saturday: Top 3 takeaways

Jonathan HardingSeptember 20, 2014

On an afternoon full of special moments, we pick out three of the most important: Hamburg draw, Schalke see red and Paderborn, in their first Bundesliga season, sit top of the league table after four matches.

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Fußball Bundesliga 4. Spieltag SC Paderborn - Hannover 96 Moritz Stoppelkamp
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Oliver Krato

Plus point for HSV

The cheers that rang around the Imtech Arena at full time sounded like those celebrating a win. Hamburg's 0-0 draw against Bayern might only be worth one point, but it was certainly a win for new coach Joe Zinnbauer and his players. Bayern had more than 70% possession, but were limited to only three shots on target. While Bayern's rotated eleven were guilty of not having enough zip, Hamburg definitely had more bite. Nicolai Müller nearly caused a sensation, but the point is a huge one for Hamburg and for Zinnbauer too. The "coach from nowhere" has evidently instilled something in his side, but the key now is to make sure that improvement is consistent and not fleeting.

Red mist Schalke

On Saturday afternoon, Schalke confirmed suspicions that have, in truth, been building over the last two seasons. Their 2-2 draw with Frankfurt proved they are the most bipolar side in German football. A lethargic opening period saw them go two goals down, but then, they seized on a fortunate penalty decision to eventually level the scores. Looking the more likely to go on and win, Schalke's mood swung again. Kevin-Prince Boateng picked up a silly second yellow card and was sent off, and then birthday boy Julian Draxler (who scored Schalke's equalizer) lashed out and saw a straight red. Suddenly Schalke were down to nine men and had to hold on rather push on. Jens Keller's side did hold out for a draw, but after their brilliant midweek draw against Chelsea, Schalke's baffling Jekyll and Hyde act continues.

Bundesliga Schalke vs Frankfurt
Which Schalke will turn up next week?Image: Reuters/Ina Fassbender

Prolonged party in Paderborn?

Watching Moritz Stoppelkamp's 83 meter half-volley trickle into the bottom corner was hard to believe. Even harder is what Paderborn are achieving in the Bundesliga. After their 2-0 win against Hanover, they are still undefeated in the Bundesliga this season - their first ever top-flight campaign. They've played four games and were top of the pile on Saturday evening. With Elias Kachunga grabbing his third goal of the season, who would bet against Paderborn to sustain their feel-good factor for another week or two? Any longer than that would be nothing short of miraculous.