Whereas the Bundesliga may need watched its fame grow to be more and more stale over the previous decade, there was actually a surprising altering of the guard amongst Germany’s elite.
Watching Bayer Leverkusen embark on a sensational fairytale as they had been topped Bundesliga champions for the primary time, Germany’s top-flight now have a heavyweight title scrap on their arms.
With Bayern Munich finally compelled to accept a third-place end final season after enduring a public home wrestle underneath Thomas Tuchel, the German icons get a brand new period underway following the shock arrival of ex-Burnley boss Vincent Kompany.
Forward of what seems set to be one other thriller from the highest of the Bundesliga desk this yr, we’ve taken a have a look at the 2 main candidates and the European superstars that will likely be spearheading their respective title expenses.
Bayer Leverkusen
Though Bayer Leverkusen may need suffered main Europa League last heartbreak in Dublin on Could twenty second as they fell to a 3-0 defeat by the hands of Italian outfit Atalanta, Xabi Alonso’s males loved a well-known fairytale final season.
Tearing up the information guide and underling their fame as Europe’s final shock package deal, the German high-flyers cruised their option to a maiden Bundesliga crown as additionally they earned the title of ‘invincibles’.
Managing to maintain maintain of Alonso amidst actual hypothesis that the one-time Liverpool midfielder may exchange Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, the Spanish tactician has established himself as one in every of Europe’s hottest managerial stars and is absolutely targeted on proving Leverkusen’s fairytale was not only a one-off.
Finishing a well-known home silverware sweep final season and looking out so as to add one other trophy to their ever-growing cupboard this weekend after they meet Stuttgart within the German Tremendous Cup, Leverkusen will merely be trying to keep it up from the place they left off again in Could.
Key Participant – Florian Wirtz
Topped because the Bundesliga’s Participant of the Season over the summer time and having fun with what was a outstanding breakout marketing campaign underneath Alonso’s steering, Florian Wirtz has loved a sensational rise to superstardom.
Rapidly blossoming into one in every of Europe’s hottest budding stars and on the coronary heart of Leverkusen’s iconic Bundesliga cost final yr, the German worldwide registered 22 direct purpose contributions in his 32 top-flight appearances.
With the reigning Bundesliga champions making it clear that they worth their academy graduate in extra of £100million, they’ve managed to maintain maintain of their playmaking sensation and Wirtz is embracing his function as Leverkusen’s poster boy.
Impressing whereas away with Germany at this summer time’s European Championships and recording two objectives for the host nation as they finally suffered quarter-final heartbreak in opposition to Spain, some have even tipped the 21-year-old as a future Ballon d’Or winner.
Bayer Leverkusen’s first 5 Bundesliga fixtures:
Borussia Monchengladbach (A)
RB Leipzig (H)
Hoffenheim (A)
Wolfsburg (H)
Bayern Munich (A)
Bayern Munich
Whereas Bayern Munich may need reached the Champions League semi-finals final season, it’s no secret that the Bavarians had been on the coronary heart of a public home wrestle as they shockingly relinquished their Bundesliga crown for the primary time in over a decade.
Parting methods with Thomas Tuchel following what was a dramatic divorce behind the scenes in Munich, Kompany will likely be greater than conscious that he has an amazing quantity of stress on his shoulders within the battle to get Bayern again to their fearsome greatest.
Ultimately compelled to accept a bronze medal end amongst Germany’s elite final season as they got here underneath an enormous quantity of scrutiny, Bayern completed 18 factors adrift of Leverkusen as they completed the 2023/24 marketing campaign with no single piece of silverware to their identify.
Actually limping their approach over the ending line final season and gaining an undesirable fame for his or her prolonged defensive points, the previous Burnley boss will know that stability is vital this time round.
Key Participant – Harry Kane
Whereas many across the Allianz may need been shocked final summer time as Bayern splashed out £100million for England skipper Harry Kane, the previous Tottenham talisman launched into a record-breaking begin to life in Munich.
Though the German icons may need endured a public home nightmare final season, Kane solely underlined his standing as one in every of Europe’s most medical marksmen and has already cemented his spot as an actual hit on the Allianz.
Shattering a string of long-standing information in Munich, the 31-year-old notched 36 objectives in his 32 Bundesliga appearances final season and cruised his option to Germany’s Golden Boot after averaging 1.14 strikes each 90 minutes.
Nonetheless determined to get his approach on a maiden piece of silverware after struggling EURO 24 heartbreak with England over the summer time, England’s all-time goalscoring will definitely have an important function to play in Kompany’s new-look squad this season.
Bayern Munich first 5 Bundesliga fixtures:
Wolfsburg (A)
Freiburg (H)
Kiel (A)
Werder Bremen (A)
Bayer Leverkusen (H)
