PROMOTED TEAMS

BOCHUM

Eleven years after their last relegation from the Bundesliga, the Ruhr side are back for another top-flight tour of duty, after winning last season’s second division. All credit to coach Thomas Reis who has forged a close-knit, wellorganised and pro-active side in his two seasons in charge. Do they have enough elite experience in the squad? Absolutely not. The entire squad has only amassed some 220 Bundesliga matches.

GREUTHER FURTH

The Clover Leaves, second-tier runners-up in 2020-21, may have next to no Bundesliga pedigree – having played only once in the elite in 2012-13 – but have much going for them nonetheless: an excellent coach in Stefan Leitl, effectiveness asa gegenpressing unit and technical quality a plenty. The flip-side? The summer departure of brilliant Germany Under-21 left-back David Raum, who was snapped up by Hoffenheim.