BUNDESLIGA
Can anyone stop Bayern? Will Lewandowski and Haaland ever stop scoring? Are Hertha still basket cases? There are questions aplenty in Germany
SO, WHAT’S NEW?
Arminia Bielefeld are back in the big time after an 11- year absence in which they twice slipped into the third tier. Uwe Neuhaus’ side ( right) were worthy 2. Bundesliga winners, losing just two matches in a wild league that rivals the Championship for unpredictability. They scored more times than any other team and conceded the fewest – so expect a strong showing from their well- balanced squad.
Fellow new boys Stuttgart also return after a year in the second tier, restoring one of the league’s founding teams to the top flight.
MAJOR STORYLINES
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: can anyone halt Bayern Munich’s bid for a record- extending ninth straight title? Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig both remain prime candidates, but appear to lack the consistency and belief required to topple Germany’s giants. Leipzig were four points clear in mid- January, but finished third – some 16 points adrift.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland’s phenomenal start at Dortmund after joining in January hints at a proper ding- dong battle for this campaign’s golden boot. The Norwegian ( top) scored 13 goals in 15 league outings for Dortmund – only five players bagged more – and will head into a new season with Robert Lewandowski the man to beat. Bayern’s Polish frontman plundered 34 in 31 Bundesliga games, taking the torjagerkanone prize for a third consecutive term – and fifth time in seven seasons.
Leroy Sané ( bottom) at Bayern Munich is a thrilling prospect. The former Schalke winger has returned to the Bundesliga for € 45 million after a coming- of- age chapter at Manchester City, where he matured into one of the world’s most potent forwards. Despite his injury issues, Sané should shine with his perfect combination of pace, creativity and finishing ability – as 39 goals and 42 assists in 135 appearances in English football can attest. The 24- year old’s addition to a frontline already containing Lewandowski, assist king Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry will strike fear into poor Bundesliga backlines – not that Bayern really needed much more encouragement anyway.
Dortmund, meanwhile, seem to have now settled on a long- term solution to their right- back problems by snaring Thomas Meunier on a free transfer from Paris Saint- Germain. The Belgium international turns 29 in September and brings a winning mentality to Lucien Favre’s squad which needed the experience. Replacing the jet- heeled Achraf Hakimi – who shone in a two- season loan from Real Madrid before joining Inter – was top of the to- do list.
SURPRISE POTENTIAL
Hertha Berlin have promised to shake things up after major investment from new owners. In June, managing director Michael Preetz told Der Spiegel that Hertha will consistently challenge for Europe over the coming years – bold claims for a club long seen as a basket case, which zipped through four managers last season alone and finished level on points with plucky city rivals Union Berlin in 2019- 20.
LOOK OUT FOR...
The anticipated return of capacity crowds to grounds later this year. The Bundesliga is celebrated for its passionate, politically- charged fan culture and the empty stands have been painful to watch. Expect the usual demonstrations to return: from anti- fascism tifo displays to gripes about 50+ 1 sidestepping ( we’re looking at you, Leipzig). Beers and sausages are only part of the magic – scratch the surface and you’ll find what makes German football culture so special.
On the pitch, keep eyes on the 17- year- old Jude Bellingham at Dortmund – BVB’S € 25m summer arrival. The former Birmingham midfielder becomes the latest Brit to head for Germany – a talent drain not seen since the days of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet – with the Bundesliga having long proved itself as a fine incubator for young talent. England manager Gareth Southgate will monitor his development.
Bellingham isn’t the only one to watch in North Rhine- Westphalia. Fellow teen Giovanni Reyna – son of former Rangers and Sunderland midfielder, Claudio – is another 17- year- old who had fans swooning last season. Reyna played 18 first- team games, setting up two goals – including one against PSG in the Champions League last 16. The American attacker is being compared to Christian Pulisic for obvious reasons, and such hype appears to be justified.