The first matchday of the Big Five delivers its verdicts: Christopher Nkunku dominates widely with a hat-trick in 64 minutes in Leipzig's 6-0 win over Frankfurt. Manchester City, leaders, win 3-0 away at Liverpool in the weekend's major fixture. The underdogs don't disappoint: Hamburg overturn Hoffenheim 3-2 after falling behind.
Week in review
Leipzig crushes Frankfurt 6-0 with an irresistible Nkunku: three goals in three shots on target, one key pass and four duels won out of seven in under an hour. Manchester City, favorites at 52%, confirm their status by dominating Liverpool 3-0 away with six saves from Donnarumma and a clean sheet. Chelsea win 5-1 against Bournemouth thanks to two goals from Henderson in midfield and two finishes from João Pedro. Hamburg, given only 13% chances, overturn Hoffenheim 3-2 after falling behind, with a decisive late goal from Muheim. Napoli win 3-0 against Frosinone without conceding, while Werder Bremen grab a 2-2 draw at Borussia Dortmund, leaders, despite only 28% possession.
D3 Player of the Week
C. Nkunku (RB Leipzig) scores three times in 64 minutes, on his three shots on target, in RB Leipzig's 6-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt. Podium: 2. J. Henderson (Chelsea), 3. João Pedro (Chelsea).
D3 Striker
João Pedro (Chelsea) scores 2 goals in 72 minutes as centre-forward in Chelsea's 5-1 victory against Bournemouth. Podium: 2. A. Nusa (RB Leipzig), 3. P. Mboup (Stade Brestois 29).
D3 Midfielder
Same winner: C. Nkunku (RB Leipzig), already presented above (D3 Player of the Week). Podium: 2. J. Henderson (Chelsea), 3. A. Caci (FSV Mainz 05).
D3 Defender
M. Muheim (Hamburger SV) scores 1 goal and provides 1 assist in the 3-2 victory at 1899 Hoffenheim. Podium: 2. B. Reynolds (Rennes), 3. Álex Grimaldo (Atletico Madrid).
D3 Goalkeeper
G. Donnarumma (Manchester City). With 6 saves at Liverpool, G. Donnarumma keeps Manchester City's clean sheet intact, winning 3-0. Podium: 2. F. Dahmen (FC Augsburg), 3. K. Hein (Werder Bremen).
D3 Performance
Same winner: C. Nkunku (RB Leipzig), already presented above (D3 Player of the Week). Podium: 2. A. Caci (FSV Mainz 05), 3. E. Caprile (Cagliari).
D3 Team
Manchester City, leaders, win 3-0 away at Liverpool without conceding a goal, in the major fixture of the weekend. Podium: 2. Napoli, 3. RB Leipzig.
D3 Surprise
Hamburger SV, underdogs before the match, win 3-2 at 1899 Hoffenheim after falling behind. Podium: 2. Nice, 3. Werder Bremen.
D3 Disappointment
1899 Hoffenheim. Favorites before the match, 1899 Hoffenheim lose 2-3 to Hamburger SV. Podium: 2. Borussia Dortmund.
D3 Match to remember
1899 Hoffenheim 2-3 Hamburger SV. 1899 Hoffenheim and Hamburger SV play out a 2-3 thriller with five goals, two comebacks and a decisive goal after the 85th minute. Podium: 2. FSV Mainz 05 3-4 Bayer Leverkusen, 3. Liverpool 0-3 Manchester City.
D3 XI of the week (4-3-3)
G. Donnarumma (Manchester City), Álex Grimaldo (Atletico Madrid), M. Muheim (Hamburger SV), Jacobo Ramón Naveros (Como), B. Reynolds (Rennes), J. Henderson (Chelsea), C. Nkunku (RB Leipzig), A. Stiller (VfB Stuttgart), A. Nusa (RB Leipzig), João Pedro (Chelsea), J. McGinn (Aston Villa).
The five leagues
Premier League. D3 Player: J. Henderson (Chelsea). D3 Team: Manchester City. Henderson and João Pedro carry Chelsea to a 5-1 victory against Bournemouth. Manchester City win 3-0 away at Liverpool with a flawless defensive performance.
La Liga. D3 Player: Isco (Real Betis). D3 Team: Atletico Madrid. Álex Grimaldo opens the scoring at Alaves in Atletico Madrid's 2-1 victory, the top-6 fixture. Atletico Madrid win without conceding a goal.
Serie A. D3 Player: M. Osmajić (Genoa). D3 Team: Napoli. Napoli win 3-0 against Frosinone with eight shots on target against just one for the opposition. Caprile makes nine saves in Cagliari's 1-1 draw against Juventus.
Bundesliga. D3 Player: C. Nkunku (RB Leipzig). D3 Team: RB Leipzig. Nkunku scores three times in 64 minutes in Leipzig's 6-0 win over Frankfurt. Hamburg pull off a surprise with a 3-2 win at Hoffenheim, heavy favorites.
Ligue 1. D3 Player: P. Mboup (Stade Brestois 29). D3 Team: Stade Brestois 29. Stade Brestois 29 win 5-1 against Angers with a goal and an assist from Mboup. Nice overturn Strasbourg 2-1 at home despite 45% possession.
Key takeaways
The underdogs steal the show: Hamburg (13% chances) overturn Hoffenheim, Nice (30%) beat Strasbourg, Werder Bremen (9%) grab a draw at leaders Dortmund. The goalkeepers dominate: Donnarumma keeps a clean sheet at Liverpool, Dahmen makes eight saves against Bayern, Caprile makes nine against Juventus. Leipzig crush Frankfurt 6-0 with a perfect Nkunku: three goals in three shots on target, an offensive masterclass in 64 minutes.
All official awards: d3footballiq.com/awards/2026-2027/big-fiv…