So far: Bundesliga matchday 3

Kagawa's perfect return

He returns, he scores and all is well in the world for Dortmund. Their beloved returning Japanese son Shinji Kagawa was involved in the opening goal and scored the second in opportunistic fashion. Frankly, it couldn't have been written better.

While it's premature to suggest that he's back to his best, it's certainly great to see Kagawa back at Dortmund and playing with a smile. An early snapped effort on goal was a sign of how eager he was to be back on this pitch, wearing this kit. Kagawa is the perfect example of a player's performance visibly being raised by a familiar and family environment, and by a coach who nurtured his talent. Cramps after just over an hour are an indication that he's still working towards his peak fitness, but he's back where he needs to be.

Ramos makes quiet case

It's hardly surprising that Italian striker Ciro Immobile caught more attention when he signed for Borussia Dortmund this summer, but early on it looks like Adrian Ramos is the striker who can deliver sooner.

The former Hertha man knows the league and has adapted to Jürgen Klopp's system quickly, while Italian Immobile's bedding-in period looks set to last a little longer. Ramos was on hand to score what proved to be the winner against Augsburg last week, but it was this weekend at home against Freiburg that he looked superb.

He opened the scoring with a deft, roof-of-the-net, near-post finish to give Dortmund the lead and then delivered the low cross for Shinji Kagawa to score. In the light of all of the transfers BVB were involved in this summer, it looks like Ramos will prove to be the most astute one. His power and positioning were well known, but it's his intelligence that has him looking capable of eclipsing the 16 goals he managed for Hertha last season.

Cologne's clean sheets

Cologne still haven't conceded this season. In the first 270 minutes of their 2014/15 Bundesliga campaign, Timo Horn and his defense have kept out Hamburg, Stuttgart and now Paderborn. The 0-0 on matchday 3 against Paderborn might have lacked the excitement of other games, but it retains the sound, defensive confidence that Peter Stöger has instilled in this team.

One of the keys to surviving promotion to the top-flight is defensive stability. 21-year-old Kevin Wimmer has excelled, as has Jonas Hector, and although Cologne have yet to face any of the top-flight's powerhouses, their performances so far pivotally mean they don't need to take points from the big teams.

Turning point for Mainz?

It's not been an easy few weeks, but finally Kasper Hjulmand has his first win of the season. Dumped out of the Europa League qualifying and two uninspiring draws had many tipping Mainz to struggle this year. While that still may be the case, a win in the capital is just the starting point Mainz were looking for.

With a number of new signings now on board, the club can and will look to push on. The greatest positive to come from the win against Hertha was the team is beginning to find itself. The combination play for Sami Allagui's goal was superb, and a rude reminder for Hertha who felt the striker was surplus to requirements.

Hahn and Kruse lead Gladbach

Hahn is a player few would have cared to consider when he left Kickers Offenbach for Augsburg. However, his remarkable season with Augsburg ended with him making an appearance for Germany and sealing a move to Europa-League contenders Gladbach. With many questioning whether Hahn could handle another increase in pressure and expectation, the 24-year-old continues to excel. He now has five goals in six games for Gladbach and against Schalke, he scored two of them, took on more challenges than anyone else and covered nearly every corner of the pitch. In short, he was Gladbach's focal point.

Kruse's barren spell last season raised some question marks about how effective he could be. There was no doubting his combination play, but his direct contribution to the team, namely goals/assists needed to follow suit. Returning from injury, he did so in spectacular fashion and should mark the start of a rich vein of form. The scariest thing? Hahn and Kruse together look to be forming an outstanding partnership.

Keller in trouble

Jens Keller has long been a manager with question marks over his head at Schalke, but the manner of the defeat to Gladbach will have made those questions all the more pertinent.

Schalke started brightly but then fell apart spectacularly in the face of Gladbach's rapid transitional play. The space that was afforded in defence and from set-pieces harked back to the Schalke that were plagued by a porous goal last season. Injuries aside, the re-appearance of these issues is extremely concerning for Keller. Schalke have not won in any competitive game so far this season, a fate they haven't suffered in 46 years. Next up? Chelsea away on Wednesday in the Champions League.