Bundesliga runner-up Stuttgart started the new season with a 3-1 loss at Freiburg, while Leipzig managed to win 1-0 against Bochum on Saturday despite having a player sent off.
Ermedin Demirović gave Stuttgart an early lead with a scissors-kick in the second minute at his old club, but that was the only highlight for Sebastian Hoeneß’ team, which had a record-breaking points total last season.
Freiburg, playing its first league game since long-time coach Christian Streich’s retirement, scored three goals to give new coach Julian Schuster a winning start.
Bochum could not take advantage of Leipzig captain Willi Orban’s late red card for stopping Myron Boadu from scoring. A second-half goal from 19-year-old Antonio Nusa on his Bundesliga debut was enough for Leipzig.
Holstein Kiel had a tough start in the league with a 3-2 loss at Hoffenheim, where they gave away an early penalty and had a player sent off late in the game.
Augsburg drew 2-2 with Werder Bremen, and Mainz finished 1-1 against Union Berlin.
Later, Borussia Dortmund was set to play against Eintracht Frankfurt. The home fans planned protests against the club’s sponsorship deal with an arms manufacturer, and Nuri Sahin was making his Bundesliga debut as Dortmund’s coach.
