Bayern Munich's poor start to the season continued as they were beaten 2-1 by Mainz, leaving coach Louis van Gaal still searching for his first win since taking over in the summer. Andreas Ivanschitz put Mainz ahead in the 25th minute before Aristide Bance doubled the lead in the 37th minute.

Bayern improved in the second half and got back into the game through an own goal from Nikolce Noveski but, despite their efforts, they were unable to find an equaliser, leaving them in the bottom half of the table with just two points from three matches.

Bayer on top
Tranquillo Barnetta and Eren Derdiyok struck two goals apiece as Bayer Leverkusen defeated promoted Freiburg 5-0 to move to the top of the table. Stefan Kiessling set the visitors on their way with the opening goal ten minutes before half-time and Barnetta doubled their advantage two minutes after the interval.

Derdiyok made it 3-0 after 69 minutes and then seven minutes later Barnetta's second of the match put Leverkusen further clear, before Derdiyok's second six minutes from time sealed the win.

Georg Niedermaier salvaged a point for Stuttgart as they and Borussia Dortmund remained lodged in mid-table following a 1-1 draw. Nelson Valdez had given Dortmund the lead after 27 minutes, however Stuttgart hit back two minutes into the second half when Niedermaier headed home from close range.

Ten-man Frankfurt holds on
Cologne missed a golden opportunity to record their first win of the league campaign as they were held to a goalless home draw by ten-man Eintracht Frankfurt. Major signings Lukas Podolski and Maniche had chances for the home side but, despite the dismissal of Patrick Ochs before the hour mark for a professional foul, Eintracht held on for a deserved point.

Elsewhere, a goal in each half from Jiri Stajner gave Hannover their first league victory of the season and left Nurnberg still winless. The popular Czech forward struck after 15 minutes and again four minutes from full-time to earn a deserved victory. The hosts, who dominated possession but rarely threatened the Hannover goal, could have lost by more had Stajner not missed a retaken penalty eight minutes into the second half.