Best starts in the Bundesliga after 5 games
Dortmund have got off to an absolute flyer this term, they've dropped just two points and their defense has been watertight. But there are several sides that have begun even better, including a few surprise packages.
2017-18: Borussia Dortmund - 13 points, 13:0 goal ratio
The Dortmund players have every reason to celebrate. Four wins, one draw and not one goal against. For a team to not concede a goal after five games is unprecedented - it has never happened in the Bundesliga in 55 years. But Dortmund have only had the 17th best start to a Bundesliga season. Here is a small guide to the best early starters.
1997-98: Kaiserslautern - 13 points, 8:1 goal ratio
Kaiserslautern had just returned from the second division and got off to a sensational start. They began by beating Bayern in Munich's Olympic stadium and did not lose a match until the eighth matchday. The strong start catapulted Otto Rehhagel's team to the Bundesliga title, and they are still the only newly promoted team to lift Germany's league trophy.
2010-11: Mainz - 15 points, 12:4 goal ratio
Mainz's "Bruchweg-Boys" wreaked havoc on the league at the start of the 2010-11 season. The group included Andre Schürrle (left), Adam Szalai (middle) and Lewis Holtby (right). Together, they roughed up the Bundesliga to the tune of seven straight wins, including one over defending Champions Bayern Munich. They finished the season in fifth place, earning a spot in Europa League qualifying.
1976-77: Cologne - 15 points, 14:2 goal ratio
Led by playmaker and German international Wolfgang Overath (pictured), Cologne started the Bundesliga season strongly. The Billy Goats won their first five games and scored at least twice in each match. But the streak ended one match later as they lost to TB Berlin 3-2. They wound up in fifth place, but won the German Cup.
1996-97: Stuttgart - 15 points, 16:1 goal ratio
In 1996, Stuttgart had a "Magische Dreieck" (translates to "Magical Triangle") - Fredi Bobic (right), Giovane Elber (left) and playmaker Krassimir Balakov. The trio came out firing and took Stuttgart to the top of the table. Stuttgart finished the season in fourth, but they won the German Cup. The coach of this team at the time? German national team coach Joachim Löw.
2012-13: Bayern Munich - 15 points, 17:2 goal ratio
Bayern were on a mission at the start of the 2012-13 season. Their record after five matches is the second best in Bundesliga history. The strong start formed the foundation of the most successful season in club history - they collected their first treble by winning the Champions League, German Cup and Bundesliga titles. They are still the only German team to achieve the feat.
2015-16: Borussia Dortmnd - 15 points, 18:3 goal ratio
The best Bundesliga start of all time after five matches belongs to Dortmund, they set it in Thomas Tuchel's (above) first season in charge. BVB crushed Gladbach and Ingolstadt in the first two games, both by a score of 4-0. They also had convincing wins against Hertha Berlin, Hannover and Leverkusen. But Dortmund still only finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga title race.
Best start to a season ever: Bayern Munich
With 15 points and a 15:2 goal ratio through the first five matches, Bayern Munich were the team that pipped Dortmund to the post in the 2015-16 season. They also vanquished their rivals in the German Cup in a penalty shootout. TheBavarians also set a record for the longest winning streak to start a season - 10 wins in 10 games.