Attempts have been made to make football calculable: Opta index; chalkboards with crosses and lines more abstract than a Kandinsky painting; video analyses; and training sessions dedicated to the correct movement with and without the ball. Little is left to chance, yet notwithstanding there are moments of pure individual genius that defy systems and tactics. Logic goes out the window and football returns to what it is – a game whose outcome is unpredictable.

Specators of this weekend’s Gladbach vs Hannover fixture were treated to a game that provided just such moments. But it wasn’t pure genius that made this an occasion to remember – it was the blunders – howlers of the most cringe-worthy kind – that defined this game. Eight goals in total. Three own goals. A fourth goal that is at least half an own goal.

Best just watch it:

Karim Haggui – unlucky goalscorer of two own goals in this memorable match summed it up: “If it weren’t so sad one could laugh about it.”

Elsewhere in the Bundesliga

The Bavarian Bogeymen appear to be in fine fettle. A 4-1 demolition of Juventus in the Champions League has done wonders for the team, who had little trouble dispatching Bochum, winning 5-1 away from home and moving into third place, just two points behind league leaders Leverkusen. Leverkusen conceeded a 92 minute equaliser, and thereby two points, away to Berlin.

Schalke move into second place with an away win against Bremen. The team coached by Felix Magath have been the surprise team of the season so far: fielding young, unknown players such as 18-year old Joel Matip in defensive midfield, Magath is exceeding expectations.

Stuttgarts doldrums continue thanks to the Mad Hatter in goal AKA Jens Lehmann. Three points were in the bag until this incident - the ensuing penalty was converted, final score 1-1.

For a German Bundesliga blog, click here

Results:

Hertha Berlin – Leverkusen (2:2)

Hoffenheim – Frankfurt (1:1)

Bochum – Bayern München (1:5)

Gladbach – Hannover (5:3)

Freiburg – Köln (0:0)

Nürnberg – Hamburg (0:4)

Bremen – Schalke (0:2)

Mainz – Stuttgart (1:1)

Wolfsburg – Dortmun (1:3)

Table:

1. Leverkusen 32

2. Schalke 31

3. Bayern München 30

4. Bremen 28

5. Hamburg 28

6. Dortmund 27

7. Hoffenheim 25

8. Mainz 24

9. Wolfsburg 23

10. Frankfurt 23

11. Gladbach 21

12. Freiburg 18

13. Hannover 17

14. Köln 14

15. Stuttgart 13

16. Bochum 13

17. Nürnberg 12

18. Hertha Berlin 6