As the Bundesliga season enters its final stretch, March brought a fresh wave of individual brilliance. The six nominees for Player of the Month represent a cross-section of positions, roles, and narratives – from set-piece revelations to defensive anchors and attacking maestros. Here’s an editorial look at the candidates under the microscope.
Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)
The most unexpected subplot of March came via Nico Schlotterbeck – not for his robust defending, but for his creative delivery. The centre-back assumed corner-taking duties for the first time in his Bundesliga career on Matchday 27, and with striking success: two of his five corners directly assisted goals, marking a new dimension in his game. He played every minute for Dortmund in March and jointly led the league in assists (2) during the month. Unfortunately for Dortmund, Schlotterbeck’s season has ended prematurely due to a knee injury – but his March displays left a lasting impression.
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Nadiem Amiri (Mainz)
Amiri’s international recall – earning his first Germany cap since 2020 – was a fitting reward for a player in resurgent form. In March, the Mainz playmaker tallied two goals and two assists, ranking behind only one Bundesliga player for total goal contributions in that span. His influence has been pivotal as Mainz continue their unprecedented pursuit of a Champions League berth. Amiri featured in all four matches, starting each and finishing two, a reflection of his centrality to Bo Henriksen’s tactical setup.
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Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
Olise’s consistency is proving invaluable for Bayern’s title ambitions. No player created more chances (14) or was involved in more shots (24) during March. A goal in the 3-1 win over Stuttgart and two further assists brought his seasonal total to a league-leading nine. The Frenchman’s creative surge in the final third has firmly established him as one of the Bundesliga’s most influential players – and a key weapon in Bayern’s drive to reclaim domestic dominance.
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Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig)
Leipzig endured a below-par month, collecting just four points from four matches. Yet, Xavi Simons remained an ever-present force in attack. He had a direct hand in all three of Leipzig’s goals – scoring twice and assisting once – and was involved in 19 shot attempts, the third-most in the league. In a team struggling for cohesion, Simons stood out as a beacon of efficiency and resilience.
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Robin Hack (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Hack rediscovered his scoring boots in March, doubling his season tally with a brace on Matchday 24. He followed that with an assist and significant contributions in two more goals in the 2-0 win over Bremen. His eight chances created and 17 total goal involvements were both Gladbach bests for the month. As the Foals chase a return to European competition, Hack’s upturn in form may prove decisive.
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Nordi Mukiele (Bayer Leverkusen)
Leverkusen’s Bundesliga campaign continues to impress, with defensive solidity playing a crucial role. Mukiele has quietly been one of their most dependable performers, boasting a 61% duel success rate in March – the highest among Leverkusen defenders. He also found the net for the first time in the Bundesliga in the 4-1 rout of Frankfurt. Notably, both of Leverkusen’s league defeats this season came without him in the starting XI – a telling statistic.
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Conclusion
This month’s shortlist spans the full breadth of the pitch: a set-piece innovator, a resurgent playmaker, a creative lynchpin, and defensive pillars. Each nominee has carved out a compelling case – whether through numbers, influence, or impact. With the season’s conclusion drawing near, these performances could have ramifications beyond individual accolades.
