Thrashings for Schalke, Hamburg

Brazilian playmaker Roberto Firmino was the hero for Hoffenheim against Hamburg. Firmino scored the first and fifth goals, setting up the three that came in between as Hoffenheim humbled their hosts 5-1. A penalty from Rafael van der Vaart, which tied the score at 1-1, was ultimately meaningless as Hoffenheim ran riot in the second half.

Hoffenheim forwards Anothony Modeste and Kevin Volland benefited from Firmino's creativity to score the other three goals and secure the side four points from its opening two matches.

Not so far away in Wolfsburg, visitors Schalke had a torrid time. The Wolves' new signing from Bayern, Luiz Gustavo, jumped straight into the side as the midfield anchor. Gustavo enjoyed a strong game, marshaling the midfield while his teammates did the damage going forward.

Youngsters Robin Kncohe and Stefan Kutschke both scored their first ever Bundesliga goals for Wolfsburg, while defender Naldo and winger Vieirinha completed the rout. As against Hamburg, when Schalke drew 3-3 on opening weekend, the Royal Blues looked susceptible at the back and vulnerable from set pieces against Wolfsburg.

Hamburg and Schalke have thus conceded a combined 15 goals after two Bundesliga games each; the European aspirants both have just one point.

Frankfurt push Bayern

Unlike Luiz Gustavo, Bayern Munich's new signing Mario Götze did not make his first start on Saturday. The Bavarians were still able to win 1-0 in Frankfurt, courtesy of an early goal from Mario Mandzukic, who acrobatically met a Thomas Müller cross, volleying the ball past Kevin Trapp with his right foot.

Frankfurt had a goal disallowed from Alex Meier. Replays suggested he was onside, but also showed that he used both his head and his hand to direct the ball goalwards. Meier had another late chance in a game where Bayern were never able to establish a comfortable cushion.

Werder Bremen secured a perfect six points - still with no goals conceded - by beating Augsburg 1-0. Mehmet Ekici scored a curious goal to win the game. After a brief dribble and with no help in sight, Ekici fired off a speculative shot from distance 23 minutes into the game. Augsburg goalie Mohammed Amsif was somewhat unsighted and could only bat the ball into the net with his outstretched hand.

Schwaab's nightmare, Müller on a roll

Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz both secured perfect starts to the season, too. Leverkusen had an old friend to thank. Daniel Schwaab scored an own goal in his second game for Stuttgart - after joining the club from Leverkusen in the summer. The unfortunate strike proved to be the only goal of the game in Stuttgart.

Mainz, meanwhile, turned on the style in the second half after an uninspired start in Freiburg. The game stood 0-0 at the break, but the guests were 2-1 winners by the final whistle. Nicolai Müller, twice a scorer in Mainz's 3-2 win last week, picked up Mainz's second goal, just four minutes after Niki Zimling put the club into the lead.

Sebastian Freis pulled on back with 20 minutes remaining, but European qualifiers Freiburg could not salvage a point. Coach Christian Streich's team has no points from its first two games of the Bundesliga season.

Glittering Gladbach

Borussia Mönchengladbach comfortably dispatched Hanover 3-0 in the evening game. The hosts, playing after their 3-1 defeat to Bayern on opening weekend, proved themselves more than a match for less superlative opposition. The attacking trio of Patrick Herrmann and new signings Raffael and Max Kruse again clicked beautifully.

Kruse opened the scoring after an excellent run and low cross from Raffael in the first half. After the break, Gladbach continued to push. Raffael set the second goal in motion with a great through ball to Kruse. After multiple attempts and a goal-line scramble, Leverkusen loanee Christoph Kramer managed to prod the goal home from point-blank range.

After 66 minutes, Hiroki Sakai was called for handball as he impeded Kruse in the box. Captain and left-back Filip Daems stepped up and slotted home the free kick. Gladbach's win was thoroughly deserved, although the clean sheet came courtesy of a spectacular late double-save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen, denying Leon Andreasen and then Mame Biriam Diouf.