Bundesliga Team Of The Week: Round 15

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Redemption: Werder Bremen's Claudio Pizarro denies Inter coach Jose Mourinho three points, having infamously been out of favour with the Special One during their time at Chelsea.

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Bayern triumphed in the top of the table clash with Bayer Leverkusen, although top spot still belongs to Hoffenheim after their 3-0 win over Bielefeld.  Hertha Berlin have climbed to the heady heights of third following their 2-1 win over Köln on Friday.   

Claudio Pizarro hit a hat trick for Werder as Thomas Schaaf’s side once again hit five goals.     

Goalkeeper  

(1)  Florian Fromlowitz (Hannover)  

After a dodgy start between the posts deputising for the injured Robert Enke, reserve keeper Florian Fromlowitz has been increasingly impressive in recent weeks and despite being beaten twice against Karlsruhe on Saturday, he pulled off a number of fine saves in the closing stages to ensure his team took all three points rather than just one.   

Defenders  

(2)  Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin)  

Joe Simunic has long been at the heart of the Hertha defence and his experience is one of the keys to the ‘Old Lady’s’ success at the start of this season.  Against Köln on Friday he kept things secure at the back and apart from one lapse, frustrated the Geißböcke attackers.  

(3)  Lucio (Bayern Munich)  

In the absence of Martin Demichelis, a lot of responsibility was on Lucio’s shoulders this weekend as Bayern faced the potent Leverkusen forward line of Kießling and Helmes.  Against Bayer he provided an impregnable barrier that helped keep the Bavarian goal intact.   

(4)  Marvin Compper (Hoffenheim)  

Against Bielefeld this weekend the recently capped defender showed just why Jogi Löw had the faith to call him up to the German national team for the game against England.  The Hoffenheim attackers continue to win the acclaim with their goals, but the foundations at the back are solid and Compper is a major part of that.   

Midfielders  

(5)  Zé Roberto (Bayern Munich)  

Bayern should be doing everything in their power to persuade Zé Roberto to sign on at the Allianz for another season, because there are still few better midfielders in the Bundesliga and he will impossible to replace should he leave at the end of the current season.  His perfect cross for Bayern’s opening goal against Leverkusen was the foundation for what could prove to be a vital win come the end of the season.   

(6)  Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim)  

Hoffenheim’s march towards being crowned winter champions continues after their 3-0 win over Bielefeld.  Much credit goes to Brazilian midfielder Carlos Eduardo, who continues to impress week after week.  Against the ‘Arminen’ he played very well and chipped in with the second goal of the afternoon.   

(7)  Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen)  

Werder’s veteran midfielder has come under a little criticism of late but on Saturday there was nothing to criticise and much to praise.  The German international was immense in his defensive role and always had an eye for a killer pass.  Don’t write off Torsten Frings.  

(8)  Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich)  

It is a case of deja-vu at Bayern of late- Franck Ribéry is stupendous form and the Bavarians picking up win after win thanks to his inventiveness and flair.  The Frenchman was the difference against title contenders Leverkusen and it was his assist which set up Miroslav Klose for the decisive second goal late on.  

Forwards  

(9)  Claudio Pizarro (Werder Bremen)  

According to media reports the Peruvian’s future at the Weser Stadion is still unclear, but the hat trick he scored against Frankfurt will have Werder fans demanding his loan move from Chelsea be made permanent, but will also have Phil Scolari and others thinking that he can do a job for them too.  His second of the afternoon was a world-class finish.    

(10)  Mike Hanke (Hannover)  

The former German international has been frozen out of the first team so far this season at Hannover but given his chance on Saturday against Karlsruhe, he grabbed it with both hands and bagged a double to help his side to victory.  His two goals were the perfect response and will have given trainer Dieter Hecking plenty of food for thought.   

(11)  Marko Pantelic (Hertha Berlin)  

The spat between Serb striker Marko Pantelic and trainer Lucien Favre has been much publicised and the prolific hit man was on the bench against Köln on Friday.  With the score at 1-1 and the game seemingly headed for a draw, Pantelic was sent on and he responded in the ideal manner with the winning goal which sees Hertha third in the table.     

Fromlowitz  

Simunic   Lucio   Compper  

Zé Roberto   Eduardo   Frings   Ribéry  

Hanke   Pantelic   Pizarro    

Honourable mentions:  

As always there are a number of players, who deserve a special mention despite having not made it into the final XI.  

Although he was beaten twice and his side lost, Bayer Leverkusen keeper Rene Adler still impressed with a number of important saves.  Hoffenheim have two players in the Team of the Week, but the trio of Selim Teber, Demba Ba, and Vedad Ibisevic all deserve a mention.   

Hertha are now third and both defender Arne Friedrich and forward Andriy Voronin put in top performances.  

Ivica Iliev, Ervin Skela, and Dennis Sörensen all did well for Cottbus going forward in their 3-1 win over Mönchengladbach.  Iliev provided two assists, while Sörensen scored the second. 

Werder’s Diego and Bayern Munich’s Miroslav Klose also deserve a mention.     

Goal.com welcomes your opinion…  

Mathew Burt