Bundesliga: James Rodriguez stars as Bayern Munich beat Schalke
Tuesday 19 September 2017 22:49, UK
James Rodriguez impressed on his first start for Bayern Munich as the Bundesliga champions returned to top spot with a 3-0 win at Schalke on Tuesday.
The Colombia international, signed on a two-year loan from Real Madrid, scored one goal and had a hand in both the others as his side continued to ease the pressure on boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti came under fire after a recent loss at Hoffenheim but Tuesday night's result means Bayern have responded by scoring 10 goals without reply in their last three games.
Rodriguez was involved in the incident which saw Schalke defender Naldo penalised for handling in the box in the 25th minute, with Robert Lewandowski converting the spot-kick.
Rodriguez doubled Bayern's lead four minutes later when he slid home at the near post and he played a significant part in making the game safe 15 minutes from time.
The Colombian lofted a delightful ball into the box from the inside-right channel which was met by Arturo Vidal with a superb volley past Schalke keeper Ralf Fahrmann.
RB Leipzig's difficult start to the new campaign continued as an early goal from Michael Gregoritsch gave improving Augsburg a 1-0 win at the WWK Arena.
Gregoritsch struck with just four minutes on the clock and had a great chance to double his side's advantage before he was replaced by South Korean Ja-Cheol Koo at half-time.
Raffael scored twice as Borussia Monchengladbach snapped a two-game winless streak to beat visitors Stuttgart 2-0.
The home side dominated the first half but lacked flair in the final third and had to settle for going in goalless at the break.
But Raffael finally broke the deadlock just before the hour-mark then fired a 74th-minute penalty past Stuttgart keeper Ron-Robert Zieler to complete his side's win.
Struggling Werder Bremen grabbed only their second point of the season as a second-half goal from Fin Bartels earned his side a 1-1 draw away to Wolfsburg.
Former Liverpool striker Divock Origi put Wolfsburg in front after 28 minutes when he stretched to meet a Paul Ntep cross from the left and prodded home the opener.
But Bremen fought back and Bartels scored a rare headed goal in the 56th minute to nudge them further away from the bottom of the table.
