Weekend fireworks as stakes get higher

Bayern Munich have been Bundesliga top dogs for over a decade, winning a staggering 11 successive titles. When a side has developed the stature to go toe-to-toe with them - and then some more - Bundesliga fans around the world have to stand up and take notice.

RB Leipzig's energetic attacking play had already delivered two successive wins against the champions - a 3-1 win in Munich in May and 3-0 victory at the Allianz Arena in the Supercup in August. Those successes in the spring and summer were on course to be followed up with a third victory in a row after Loïs Openda and Castello Lukeba had delighted the Leipzig faithful to secure a 2-0 half-time lead in the big Saturday evening encounter.

You simply cannot write Bayern off in any situation, however. Thomas Tuchel's men dug deep to bounce back in style in the second half, with Harry Kane slamming a penalty in and Leroy Sané smashing his fifth goal in six matches this season to take a well-earned point.

Watch: Leipzig and Bayern play out thrilling 2-2 draw

When we had a chance to take a collective breath after full-time was called on the pulsating tie, the fact that Leipzig have now gone unbeaten in four matches against Bayern stood out. The rivalry that has seen some belting encounters in recent years has just got even more interesting - and you can bet that both sides will be determined to show who's boss next time they lock horns.

Leverkusen look the part as leaders

A visit to a Mainz side yet to win and desperate for points was always likely to be tougher on the pitch than on paper, but Bayer Leverkusen continued their red-hot form by taking a convincing 3-0 win despite not hitting their free-flowing best. 

After a Sepp van den Berg own goal had given Die Werkself the lead, the clinical touch of two new signings secured the three away points. Alejandro Grimaldo netted his second free-kick of the season for a brilliant second strike, while Jonas Hofmann wrapped up the win with his third goal of the campaign. 

Watch: Leverkusen win 3-0 at Mainz

The win was Leverkusen's fifth out of six Bundesliga matches so far - never before in club history have they gained as many as the 16 points they currently have at this stage of the season. With Bayern being held in Leipzig, Die Werkself are now the sole Bundesliga leaders. Few could argue they deserve to be there. Managing to win a tight away game by a clear margin is just the kind of good habit that could keep them at the top or perhaps even help Xabi Alonso's men to launch a title bid. 

Ryerson wondergoal shows Dortmund grit

There was a lot for Dortmund fans to cheer as they prevailed 3-1 at Hoffenheim on Friday evening. Niclas Füllkrug's first goal for the club, for one, and the continued contribution from the evergreen Marco Reus. Their brilliant third goal in stoppage time tops the lot, however.

Julian Ryerson has epitomised the never-say-die attitude at the Black and Yellows since his arrival from Union Berlin in January. The encounter at in-form Hoffenheim was very much still in the balance when he received the ball just outside his own area and embarked on a relentless drive forward. Sheer willpower saw Ryerson take the ball past two defenders and all the way forward before he slotted past Oliver Baumann to seal the points. 

Watch: Ryerson wondergoal seals 3-1 win at Hoffenheim

Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel could barely contain his excitement at having witnessed the effort, telling bundesliga.com: "It was an unbelievable goal. I've never seen a goal like this in a game. It was crazy." The win continues Dortmund's unbeaten record this season, while their third victory in a row has also taken them level on points with their big rivals in the 2022/23 title race, Bayern.

Stuttgart have real strength

Given his remarkable season-opening goal glut, with ten strikes in his first five appearances, you could be forgiven for thinking VfB Stuttgart's surprisingly strong early season form is largely down to the remarkable finishing ability Serhou Guirassy. Their 2-0 win at a Cologne side eager for their first win on Saturday showed in no uncertain terms that they are much more than a mere one-man band.

For the first time this season, Guirassy was unable to find the net. One man was ultimately able to swing a tight encounter with the Billy Goats Stuttgart's way. It wasn't Chris Führich or Enzo Millot - who have been dubbed as forming a 'magical triangle' with Guirassy - but Deniz Undav, who had played just 16 minutes previously for the Swabians since joining on loan from Brighton this summer. The former Eintracht Braunschweig youth player came on in the 62nd minute with the game goalless and fired a brace to secure three big away points. 

Stuttgart are not second in the table by accident - with their fifth win in their opening six matches putting them ahead of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig. They will even have the chance to take the lead league for at least 24 hours with a win at home to Wolfsburg next weekend, which will be a clash of two of the Bundesliga's sharpest shooters...

Wind continues to batter defences

Another of the clear trends from the opening weeks of the season that shows no sign of abating is the remarkable scoring form of Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind. The Dane showed his great appetite for scoring by hitting as many shots in the first half of his side's encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt as the entire away XI managed (three).

His opening goal in the 31st minute made him the first Wolfsburg player to ever net six goals in the opening six Bundesliga matches of a season. His late second on the rebound after a penalty was saved moved him into third place in the race to be top goalscorer - and set a new best personal goals tally for a Bundesliga season already. 

Wind's third brace of the season wrapped up the 2-0 win for Wolfsburg. He has been astonishingly important for the Wolves' attacking play so far this season - being directly involved in eight of his side's nine goals so far this season.