Dortmund’s attack falters as Füllkrug lifts Bremen in chaotic Bundesliga start

Three themes from a turbulent Matchday 6

Bundesliga Matchday 6 offered another set of unexpected results and renewed questions about Borussia Dortmund’s attack. Eintracht Frankfurt began the round with a 1-0 win over 1. FC Köln, bouncing back from a 6-0 defeat to RB Leipzig the previous weekend. Dortmund, meanwhile, were held goalless by Union Berlin after also failing to score against Bodø/Glimt in midweek.

Dortmund need more from their attack

The report identifies Dortmund’s lack of chance creation as a growing concern. Injuries have limited Niko Kovač’s options, while the available forwards have not consistently delivered. Ethan Nwaneri has struggled since arriving on loan, Maximilian Beier has been inconsistent, and Fabio Silva’s promising start has given way to a dip in form. Matias Albert, at 17, is still developing.

The assessment also questions whether Kovač’s approach is making the most of the squad. With Dortmund failing to score in consecutive matches, the report argues that changes may be needed if the team is to avoid regretting the coach’s contract extension.

Füllkrug gives Bremen a focal point

At the other end of the story, Niclas Füllkrug has made an immediate impact since returning to Werder Bremen. The article says he has scored six goals in six Bundesliga matches this season, accounting for half of Bremen’s goals so far. His presence has given the side a reliable target and helped bring teammates such as Marco Grüll and Eren Dinkçi into the game.

Bremen’s comeback against Paderborn was another example: Daniel Thioune’s side went into half-time two goals behind before turning the match around. The report suggests Füllkrug’s form could put him in contention for a Germany recall during the November international break.

Results keep the season unpredictable

Matchday 6 added to a string of results that have made the early Bundesliga campaign difficult to read. Augsburg, after drawing 2-2 with Bayern Munich the previous weekend, lost 4-3 to Elversberg. Hamburg scored late to beat Stuttgart, while Frankfurt rebounded from their heavy loss to Leipzig with a narrow victory. Bremen’s resurgence and Dortmund’s struggles added to the contrast, with Freiburg described in the report as leading the table.

Rather than offering clear conclusions about the season’s pecking order, the latest round underlined how quickly fortunes have shifted. The report’s central takeaway: the opening six matches have been chaotic, and the unpredictability is showing no sign of fading.