Borussia Dortmund drew 2:2 at home against Hertha BSC Berlin in the season open
er on friday.

Juan Fernandez played 90 minutes in the left midfield. Dortmund coach Matthias
Sammer was really impressed and delighted by the performances of Fernandez in t
he pre-season and gave him a spot in the Dortmund starting 11. While Fernandez
was really impressing in some warm-up matches and in the german league-cup, i w
ould consider his start into the 02/03 Bundesliga-season as mediocre. He played
 mostly reliable in the defence but failed to impress in the attack - most Dort
mund attacks were started over their right wing. I think he had some kind of 's
tage fright' in his first match in front of a crowd of nearly 70000 , but he is
 an amazing talent and i expect to see some good performances of him during the
 ongoing season.


Schalke won 1:0 at home against Wolfsburg.

Annibal Matellan played full 90 min. as left wing back in the Schalke defence,
he played a very solid part although not very spectacular. Wolfsburgs 'scoring
sensation' Diego Klimovicz ( scored 10 goals in 13 matches in the second half o
f the 01/02 season) missed the match due injury.


Leverkusen drew 1:1 at Cottbus.

Diego Placente hadn't got a good match - it seemed that the argentine World Cup
 desaster was still in his mind - he played very weak and was benched after 45
minutes...


Hamburg won 2:1 at home against Hannover 96.

Rudolfo Cardoso and Bernardo Romeo missed the match due injury, but Cristian Le
desma was substituted after 45 minutes and played an important part in turning
around the match in favor to Hamburg ( we trailed 0:1 at half-time). He took Ha
nnover playmaker Krupnikovic completly out of the game and showed incredible ba
ll control and passing skills in the central defensive midfield. He maintained
every ball under pressure and was always able to find his mates with a good pas
s. If he continues to play like today, he will secure a place in the Hamburg ta
rting 11. The crowd was really impressed by his dribblings and control, the onl
y thing he must improve are his shots...