The heroes and villains of Bundesliga matchday 20 | OneFootball

Another weekend of football in the Bundesliga, another round of awards that need to be handed out.

The ‘First Time for Everything’ Award

Everyone has first times in their life that they’d rather not experience. The first time you stub your toe on a door. The first time you’re stuck in bed with the flu.

This weekend it was Mario Gómez.

Two yellow cards in the space of five minutes saw the striker awarded the first red card of his career.

The ‘Should’ve Stayed At Home’ Award

All week long, it was unsure whether Mainz coach Sandro Schwarz would be well enough to take charge of the team against Augsburg.

The 40-year-old made it in the end and he was left wishing he hadn’t as he was left watching his side lose to an Alfreð Finnbogason hat-trick.

The ‘Running Man’ Award

The Sky cameras picked up a nice conversation between Hertha coach Pál Dárdai and left-back Marvin Plattenhardt on Saturday.

“Marvin, do you want to come off? No? Then RUN!”

Inspirational? Perhaps not. Plattenhardt was subbed after 66 minutes, an immediate reaction to Wolfsburg taking the lead at the Olympiastadion.

The ‘Double Standard’ Award

Saturday, the ball strikes the outstretched arm of Mats Hummels. No penalty given.

Sunday, the ball strikes the outstretched arm of Daniel Brosinski. Penalty given.

Both decisions can be justified, so this isn’t a criticism of the officials, nor VAR, but the rules. Will they ever be cleared up so we can have more consistency?

The ‘Not Again…’ Award

Hannover 96 made it five consecutive home games without scoring in their 3-0 defeat to Leipzig on Friday evening. They’ve lost all five.

Only two teams have ever had such a negative home run in the Bundesliga and one of them was, well, it was Hannover during the 2015/16 season.

The ‘Two Left Feet?’ Award

A free-kick on Saturday was Leon Bailey’s 11th Bundesliga goal and his 11th with his left foot.

The equaliser set Leverkusen on their way to a 3-1 win over Bayern Munich and Bailey is clearly one for the big moments – six of his goals in the Bundesliga have given Bayer the lead, the other five have all seen them draw level.

A man for the big moments.

The ‘Shortest Time As Number One’ Award

Oh, Alexander Nübel.

After two-and-a-half games as Schalke’s number one goalkeeper, the 22-year-old saw red and will be banned next weekend. A rush of blood to the head saw him run out and bring down Thorgan Hazard, ultimately helping Gladbach to a 2-0 win.

And now Domenico Tedesco has to return to long-term goalkeeper and recently dropped Ralf Fährmann. We’re sure that’ll be a humbling experience.