Germany captain Michael Ballack made his return to the Bundesliga yesterday to help Bayer Leverkusen open their season with a 2-0 win at Borussia Dortmund.

The 33-year-old is back in the Bundesliga after four years in the Premier League with Chelsea.

Despite running Leverkusen’s midfield, he played no hand in the two goals by Swiss midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta and Brazil’s Renato Augusto.

Bayer Leverkusen struck early as Barnetta netted in the 19th minute before Renato Augusto struck the second just three minutes later to give his team the three points.

Earlier yesterday, VfB Stuttgart suffered a shock defeat by Mainz when their Tunisia striker Sami Allagui, who was making his debut, opened the scoring in the 26th-minute as he planted his shot in the left corner to stun Stuttgart.

Fellow debutant and striker Morten Rasmussen of Denmark then scored the second just two minutes after the half-time break as the home side took the three points.

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