The new Bundesliga season begins with Bayern Munich as favorites to win yet another title. Bayern kick off their quest to extend the record with a 10th consecutive German championship against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday. Here is a look at Bayern and the clubs expected to be the main contenders for the campaign.
BAYERN MUNICH
The defending champion has a new helmsman, 34-year-old Julian Nagelsmann replaces Hansi Flick, who ended his short term in office to become the coach of the German team. Nagelsmann was named coach of the year for his outstanding performance at Hoffenheim and further enhanced his reputation at Leipzig, a team he led to close seasons in third and second place in the Bundesliga. Nagelsmann’s Leipzig reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in their first season and the final of the German Cup the next.
Bayern’s biggest hiring in the inter-season period also comes from Leipzig. Bayern capitalized on Dayot Upamecano’s € 42.5 million ($ 50 million) contract termination clause to bring the 22-year-old French defender to Munich. Bayern also signed England defender Omar Richards on a free transfer from the second division Reading, but other than that there was little activity despite the departure of David Alaba, Douglas Costa, Javi Martínez and Jérôme Boateng.
Nagelsmann is expected to bring out the best in players like Leroy Sané and Marc Roca, who have so far fallen short of expectations.
LEIPZIG
Leipzig seems to start in good shape under the direction of American manager Jesse Marsch, who arrives from the Red Bull Salzburg club to fill the space left by Nagelsmann.
The team signed Portuguese striker André Silva from league rival Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported 23 million euros ($ 27 million) and should also benefit from Dominik Szoboszlai appearing to have regained his form. The Hungarian forward, who joined from Salzburg in January, scored on his injury-delayed debut in the German Cup. Dutch forward Brian Brobbey also joins from Ajax Amsterdam.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Dortmund showed two versions of themselves last season. The team was brilliant at times before collapsing under Lucien Favre. The Swiss manager was replaced by interim helmsman Edin Terzić, who weathered a difficult start before guiding Dortmund to the German Cup title and a place in the Champions League at the expense of Frankfurt.
Terzić has now handed over the leadership of the team to Marco Rose, a former Borussia Mönchengladbach manager.
Jadon Sancho left for Manchester United, and Dortmund reacted by acquiring Dutch attacker Donyell Malen from PSV Eindhoven in a transfer reported at 30 million euros ($ 35 million).
Dortmund’s biggest hiring has been that of Stuttgart goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, continuing the club’s tendency to rely on Swiss goalkeepers. The 23-year-old Kobel impressed Stuttgart and is expected to improve at the Westfalenstadion.
OTHERS
Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Frankfurt and Wolfsburg arrive with new coaches, but they will be focused on getting their tickets to continental tournaments rather than aiming for the German league title. Hertha Berlin is also hoping to do a better job after emerging victorious from a relegation battle last season, and Stuttgart could become the team to watch in the second full season under Pellegrino Matarazzo. (AP)