Think that there is once again no way around Bayern Munich being crowned champion of Germany’s top flight next season? Well, think again! Here are five reasons as to why Der FCB’s three-season reign might be nearing the end.
1. Bayern Munich itself
Yes, you read that right. Unlike in previous years, Germany’s powerhouse thus far has not landed a major signing. This is definitely not the issue of a lack of pulling power or financial measures, but more likely solid evidence that mighty Bayern appear confident in their current star-studded squad. And how could you argue with the comfortable league winner? However, the caveat here – and also undeniable Achilles’ heel of Bayern – have always been their injury prone star players (mostly Franck Ribery & Arjen Robben), who once more have proven irreplaceable towards the end of last season. As it stands, some of those old injury woes seem to extend into the new season, with Ribery now confirmed to miss the first weeks of training. Would Bayern be well advised to start conjuring up a proper back-up plan for the two wingers? One can certainly make that case.
Up for debate is also a second very uncharacteristic Bayern exit (after Toni Kroos) – Bastian Schweinsteiger seems to cogitate over his future and United’s Louis Van Gaal beckons. Despite the fact that Schweinsteiger did not get as much game time last season, his departure would without any doubt be a huge loss. Munich would hardly struggle to find an adequate replacement for him, but the settling in takes time, time they cannot afford to lose in consideration of the strong competitors lurking.
2. The History books
While statistics are admittedly too often nothing but tenuous attempts to spice up David versus Goliath encounters, this one could actually hold significance:
No Bundesliga club ever managed to clinch the championship four times in a row. Bayern by no means find itself for the first time on the cusp of achieving just that. They have been there before in the mid 80s and late 90s, yet it appears that after three titles, every time other clubs finally find the key to debunk the repeated winner. Dortmund experienced a similar phenomenon, when after two championships in 2011 and 2012 opponents all of a sudden began to give them a taste of their own medicine. And who is to say that process has not already kicked in? Of their final nine matches last season Bayern lost four. Bundesliga teams are beginning to get a better read on the Bavarian’s, are now seemingly able to unearth and exploit their weaknesses. History always repeats itself.
3. VFL Wolfsburg’s rise
Make no mistake about Wolfsburg, they are in for the long haul. Wolfsburg, much like Bayern, are in a privileged position in that they do not have to let players go unless they wish to. They subsequently retained their most valuable asset Kevin De Bruyne and now keep adding to the already fantastic mix of players. By way of example, they signed Gladbach’s forward and Germany international Max Kruse to bolster their outrageously good attacking personnel, around the likes of Bast Dost and Andre Schuerrle.
The Wolves were the only team to genuinely perform on a par with Bayern last season and looked sharp enough to beat them twice, if not for a host of comical box scenes in Munich. Right now everything indicates they will pick up exactly where they left off and steadily go from strength to strength. If that was not enough, Wolfsburg’s Champions League campaign is sure to further refine and mould their game. Last season’s side topped off with additional Champions League experience has got to be a daunting prospect for Bayern Munich.
4. Commotion at Borussia Dortmund
You would be forgiven for thinking the aforementioned Wolfsburg poses Bayern’s biggest headache at present, but you would be wrong again. In his latest interview, Bayern’s Thomas Mueller did not speak of the threat of Wolfsburg, but seemed more preoccupied with what is currently brewing up at the Westfalenstadion.
‘They’ve changed their coach, they still have a great squad. Things do not change that quickly’ Mueller said, hinting at Dortmund’s previous status as Germany’s second biggest club.
He added that ‘obviously Dortmund didn’t have a good season, not by their own standards either’. Having undergone some changes, BVB are indeed a team that is very hard to assess right now, which could render them a dangerous animal for the powerful football club down in southern Germany. One way or the other, Bayern Munich will doubtlessly dread their away match(es) in Dortmund.
If Tuchel’s team gets off to a banging start, pundits and fans in Germany will be quick to pivot and put the black and yellows back on the map as a serious title challenger.
5. Leverkusen & M’Gladbach here to spoil the party
Leverkusen fans will likely agree to disagree, but (right now) the Bayer side looks more the mixed bag than ever. Having lost Josip Drmic to Gladbach and former skipper Simon Rolfes retiring, Roger Schmidt’s squad is in dire need of additions to the squad if they want to have a serious say in the title challenge. While they might not clinch the top spot, they can regardless become a huge stumbling block for Bayern in their pursuit of glory.
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Borussia Moenchengladbach on the other hand gained Drmic to fill the void Max Kruse left. Gladbach already performed at the highgest level last season and next to a plethora of young and talented players (such as Granit Xhaka, Thorgan Hazard, Patrick Herrmann) they also have an experienced, astute coach in the form of Lucien Favre going for them. Moenchengladbach has a stable construct shows organic growth over years. They too are to be reckoned with.
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