What is going on?

If last week was relatively boring with a complete goal drought, this week has been one that bucks trends. First we had Schalke, not only playing in a three pointer, but losing to lowly Cottbus. Oh yeah, and Cottbus scored, which is an occurrence that rivals some rare diseases.

Next we have F.C. Bayern in their second straight nil-nil draw, only this time at the Allianz and against Frankfurt, whose last road trip resulted in a drubbing by Nurnberg. Nurnberg for their effort, was part of something that has been a rare feat this campaign, which is a loss to Stuttgart. Two wins on the bounce seems to have calmed nerves in the Swabian camp.

The most shocking result of the entire day, perhaps the year, was Hamburg's 2-1 victory over Hertha Berlin. The result itself isn't a suprise as HSV proven themselves title contenders, but seeing a scoreline without 1-0 from the Rothosen challenges my world view. But the 1-0 we did get was from Werder Bremen, of all teams, who won at home against lowly Hansa.

die Tabelle lügen nicht! (10/28)

1. FC Bayern

Nil Away Draw with BVB

For the first time this season, it can be said that they lost the midfield battle. And they were lucky to get out of Dortmund with a point due to this.

2. HSV

1-0 Road Win against Duisburg

They are learning to win without Rafael van der Vaart, which will be important come next year. Vincent Kompany scored both goals in their 2 1-0 wins in the league and UEFA Cup.

3. Werder Bremen

1-1 Away Draw with Schalke

Torsten Frings aggravated his right knee in the game and will miss an additional month after recently returning from injury to the same knee. Fortunately for Werder, their midfield isn’t completely knackered at the moment, so they should manage.

4. Karlsruhe

Nil Road Draw with Hansa

Markus Miller tore a knee ligament two minutes into the game, played the full 90 with a taped knee, made at least two spectacular saves and found out afterwards that he will be out for half a year. The feel good story of the season just went sour.

5. Schalke 04

1-1 Home Draw with Werder

I don’t know what’s more bankable, a 1-0 win for Hamburg or a draw for Schalke. The return of Kuranyi and Pander helped, but they are still missing Krstajic because Sanogo had two prestine chances to win this late for the visitors.

6. Hannover

Nil Away draw with Eintracht

Mike Hanke hasn’t scored in nearly 600 minutes. Dieter Hecking has obviously never played Football Manager; otherwise, he would know this is normal.

7. Wolfsburg

3-1 Home Win against Nurnberg

Somebody got a new bottle of peroxide. I’m looking at you Marcelinho. It’s distracting us all from the Wolves fantastic run of form.

8. Hertha Berlin

2-0 Home Win against Bochum

While the 29 year old Serbian Marko Pantelic might be the focal point of HBS’ offense, the impressive aspect of this is that everyone knows it and he’s still supremely productive. Scored one and caused the own goal against Bochum.

9. Frankfurt

Nil Home draw with Hannover

Between last week’s shellacking by a pathetic Nurnberg side and this inept performance, their strong start might be what keeps them above the dreaded dotted line by season’s end.

10. Bayer Leverkusen

1-0 Away Loss to Stuttgart

It truly pains me to say this, but Rene Adler’s timid approach on a ball that should have been cleared allowed Andreas Beck to steal a point from Leverkusen.

11. Dortmund

Nil Home Draw with Munich

They had a truly inspirational performance against Bayern this week. Were it not for their forwards, they could have easily won 3-0.

12. Stuttgart

1-0 Home Win over Leverkusen

Thomas Hitzelsperger returns from injury and the confidence returns immediately. They may not have deserved to win, but it’s no coincidence that the return of Hitzelsperger saw a change in luck and form.

13. Arminia

1-1 Home draw with Cottbus

Jonas Kamper’s rumblings that he wants to start might make Ernst Middendorp’s job more difficult as he scored to help Arminia avoid an embarrassing home loss to Cottbus.

14. Hansa Rostock

Nil Draw at Home with Karlsruhe

Did what few have accomplished at home against KSC this year: got a point.

15. Nürnberg

3-1 Away Loss to the Wolves

It was a poor week for the Cup holders as they suffered a drubbing by Felix Magath’s men and then got knocked out of the DFB Pokal by lowly Jena.

16. Bochum

2-0 Away Loss to HBS

Going down faster than Stanislav Sestak in the box.

17. Duisburg

1-0 Home Loss to HSV

Have now lost six of seven in the league, and just got dumped from the Cup. Meanwhile trainer Rudi Bommer seems to have no answers.

18. FC Energie

1-1 Away Draw with Bielefeld

They scored their first road goal of the season. At this rate, expect exactly two more this campaign.