Loan Update: Alessandro Schöpf Scores his First Two Goals for Nürnberg

The Tone On Loan

Julian Green, Hamburger SV

Match Results: 0-1 L @ Borussia Mönchengladbach, 1-2 L vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

After making two appearances with the Rothosen, Green had to miss both matches last week for Hamburg due to a rib injury. Zoltan Stieber started in his place, although whether Josef Zinnbauer will play him as a winger is yet to be seen. He looked much better in his action against Bayern than Pierre-Michel Lasogga has looked all year. He has returned to training, so a trip to Dortmund at the weekend is not out of the cards.

After a Hard Training! Signing autograph cards, just for my Fans @adidasUS @HSV @adidas pic.twitter.com/1SbuTBTsXg

— Julian Green (@J_Green37) September 29, 2014

Jan Kirchhoff, FC Schalke 04

Match Results: 3-0 W @ Werder Bremen, 2-1 W vs. Borussia Dortmund

Still dealing with knee trouble, Kirchhoff was left off the team sheet for the fifth consecutive match. Kaan Ayhan started on the bench as Joël Matip and Roman Neustädter manned the center of defense. His inability to get back to the field is troubling, unless Schalke is not revealing the severity of the injury. Schalke host Maribor at midweek, so the level of training Kirchhoff does will be worth watching since he traveled to London two weeks ago.

Buyback Brigade

Raif Husic, Werder Bremen

Match Results: 0-3 L vs. FC Schalke 04, 1-2 L @ FC Augsburg

Husic was on the bench again for Robin Dutt in both matches, and there are still no significant indicators on a goalkeeper chance despite Bremen's 17 goals allowed in all competition.

Alessandro Schöpf, 1. FC Nürnberg

Match Result: 0-3 L @ Heidenheim, 3-2 W vs. 1. FC Kaiserslautern

It was the worst and the best week of Schöpf's professional career. He played his worst match in a Nürnberg shirt against Heidenheim, not getting involved enough in the match and passing at a putrid 68 percent rate. The weekend was the complete opposite, setting up the opening goal against Kaiserslautern before scoring with each foot. While it seems like a breakthrough for the 20-year-old, all of his positive contributions were in acres of space on the counterattack. Regardless, Valérien Ismaël is not likely to drop him anytime soon no matter how polar his performances may be.

Going Halvsies

Diego Contento, Girondins de Bordeaux

Match Results: 1-1 D vs. Saint Étienne, 2-1 W vs. Stade Rennais

Contento got his second assist of the season this week against St. Étienne, a corner kick that found the head of Tiago Ilori to give Bordeaux the equalizer. His contributions have been much of the same, and he only has one foul despite five tackles and 10 interceptions. Manager Willy Sagnol removed Contento in the 60th minute against Stade Rennais, but his substitute, Whabi Khazri, scored the crucial opener in the 73rd minute. Contento is getting the playing time he has been thirsting for, and Bordeaux could qualify for the Champions League because of it.