As Bayern Munich captured their 25th German title on the 26th April this year, before finishing 10 points ahead of VfL Wolfsburg at the end of the season, many reluctantly accepted the one-horse situation of German football.
And having further strengthened during this current summer window, many have already accepted that the Bavarian club will run away with the league once more, the favourites listed at incredible $1.08 odds with one bookmaker.
However over the course of last season, a new wave of potential challengers rose to the occasion as Borussia Dortmund struggled in midtable. Wolfsburg chased and harried the eventual champions while Borussia Monchengladbach ended the season with a 0-0 draw and a 2-0 win against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Ahead of the new season, it’s time to take a look at the sides that could, although unlikely, push the reigning champions all the way to the end of the season.
VfL Wolfsburg
2014-15 Finish: 2nd
Key Player: Kevin De Bruyne
Wolfsburg will come into this season in positive fashion, having just knocked off Bayern in the German Super Cup this past weekend, by way of a penalty shootout. Dieter Hecking’s side were Bayern’s biggest threat last season, and they do so once more this season if star man Kevin De Bruyne is not sold to Manchester City. The Belgian midfielder led the league in Assists by a margin of 10 last season (total of 20), while also contributing 10 of the Wolves’ goals for the campaign.
De Bruyne’s athleticism and all-round ability are what makes the side tick, and manager Dieter Hecking will be hoping that his star player can hang around for at least another season. The only problem for Hecking this season will be balancing domestic demands alongside competing in the UEFA Champions League. The higher level of competition will undoubtedly test the squad, despite their quarter-final placing in the Europa League last season. Wolfsburg will likely fall just short of the title again this season, but they are quickly emerging as Germany’s second strongest side.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
Borussia Monchengladbach
2014-15 Finish: 3rd
Key Player: Granit Xhaka
Lucien Favre has brought back Borussia Monchengladbach from the perils of near-relegation and into the Champions League group stage. Utilising an exciting core of young players, Favre’s counter-attacking style of play has caused problems for even Bayern Munich, as well as the other top teams in the league.
Swiss youngster Granit Xhaka plays a crucial role in the system, helping to anchor the midfield, and will be a big component once more this season. Alongside new signing Lars Stindl, the two will call the shots for Favre’s side, as they compete both domestically and in the continental competition. Having outclassed Bayern across their two fixtures this past season, Favre will be hoping for his charges to attain the same standard not just against the reigning Champions, but also across the board, not falling victim to complacency against smaller sides.
New striker Josip Drmic, signed from Bayer Leverkusen, will add another element of pace and ruthlessness to their attack, as he looks to impose himself as a first-choice striker, having played second fiddle at his former club. Much like Wolfsburg, Gladbach will put up a fight, but ultimately struggle to usurp the league giants as they fight across multiple competitions.
Predicted Finish: 4th
Bayer Leverkusen
2014-15 Finish: 4th
Key Player: Hakan Calhanoglu
Cynically known as Neverkusen to some sets of fans, Bayer have always been the nearly team, the five-time runners-up in the Bundesliga, without having ever won the title themselves. However with Roger Schmidt at the helm, the attitude around the BayArena has changed, as a young squad and a fast-paced, entertaining style of play look to turn things around.
Playing one of the most exciting brands of football in Europe, Leverkusen pressed and harried their way into the Bundesliga top four, and into the qualifying stages of the UEFA Champions League. Their key figure going forward is undoubtedly Turkish youngster Hakan Calhanoglu, whose sumptuous set pieces have attracted interest and admiration from across the footballing world.
His passing and movement, coupled with his set-piece ability, set the tone for the side, and help to push along the quick movement of the ball in Schmidt’s system. Calhanoglu has shown form against Bayern too, with this spectacular free kick last season.
Like the other sides, with a smaller squad than Bayern and competing across multiple competitions, Leverkusen may ultimately struggle to keep the pace. However, expect them to once again make it into Europe’s top competition, as they plan for the coming years.
Predicted Finish: 3rd
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Borussia Dortmund – the fallen giant
Although it could be argued that Borussia Dortmund will challenge, their seventh-placed finish last season means that they are not taken into account at this stage. However expect them to return to form under Thomas Tuchel and perhaps become a dark horse in the title race.
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