Bayern Munich On the back of the tightest title race in years, Germany’s Recordmeister come into this season under the astute leadership of Thomas Tuchel, and with no intentions of relinquishing their Bundesliga supremacy. Despite their eventual title victory, last season’s performances were far short of expectations and the resulting release of Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamdizic, ruthless. This summer transfer window has been tumultuous, but in the end, extremely formidable. The replacement of Lucas Hernandez with Serie A defender of the year Kim Min Jae is a remarkable defensive addition, while the free signings of Konrad Laimer and Raphael Guerreiro are impressive to say the least. The sales of Marcel Sabitzer, Yann Sommer and Sadio Mane seem inconsequential, but the loss of Benjamin Pavard to Inter could be worrisome later in the season.
However, it is the eventual capture of the England captain, and one of the Premier League’s stars, Harry Kane, that must be revered. This feels like the eventual replacement for the record-breaking Robert Lewandowski, and a vital piece of the puzzle that Bayern so greatly missed last season. As a signing, Harry Kane’s ability as an elite goal scorer and one of the world’s best transforms Bayern into outright favourites for the Bundesliga, and alongside Manchester City, probably for the Champions League.
Nevertheless a 3-0 thrashing against RB Leipzig in the DFL Supercup sent shockwaves through the Bayern fanbase, and all of a sudden, questions were being asked. Yet, come opening game of the season and Bayern delivered handsomely. Still not perhaps at their scintillating best, but with the midfield axis of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka reunited, Bayern clicked. Almost immediately, Harry Kane showcased his immense qualities not just as a goal scorer but an elite creator, playing a delightful chipped through ball to set up Leroy Sane, who scored. Kingsley Coman and Kane both came close, before Alphonso Davies rolled the ball through to the England captain, who finished in trademark fashion. Leroy Sane grabbed his second after some delightful interplay in the box, and typical Thomas Muller composure, before Mathys Tel rifled one in to make it four. Somehow, Bayern’s win still felt, almost laboured.
Against Augsburg, it quickly became apparent Bayern would be untroubled. Serge Gnabry filled in adequately for Jamal Musiala and was instrumental in forcing the own goal from Felix Udokhai. Harry Kane cooly dispatched a penalty and Bayern had two before half time. Leroy Sane rattled the woodwork, before Alphonso Davies set up Harry Kane, who cleverly poked the ball past the onrushing keeper. What a home debut for Bayern’s new superstar striker! This weekend, against Gladbach was anything but simple. Against an awkward looking Gladbach team, Bayern failed to impress. Gladbach led through Ko Itakura’s looping header and Bayern looked toothless in the first half. Tuchel reacted by bringing on Konrad Laimer, whose second half performance was exemplary. Goretzka, Kimmich and Muller all had chances, before Leroy Sane clinically equalized from Kimmich’s delicious lobbed through ball. The German giants threw everything at Gladbach, before Mathys Tel grabbed the crucial winner.
Bayern remain perfect, but their performances perhaps underwhelming. Regardless, with a squad brimming with world-class quality, Thomas Tuchel will undoubtedly have Bayern back to their free-flowing best.
Bayer Leverkusen
While Bayern remain favourites for the title, early on in the season, a few standout contenders have emerged in RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen. A Leverkusen-Leipzig clash to start off the season provided the ideal opportunity to assess the title-prospects of the two teams widely tipped to challenge Bayern’s supremacy. Bayer Leverkusen underwent a summer of change, but rather than reeling from the sale of Moussa Diaby, replaced the Frenchman with another dynamic attacker in the form of Jonas Hofmann from Gladbach. The exciting captures of Arsenal and Swiss stalwart Grant Xhaka, flying Benfica fullback Alejandro Grimaldo, as well as the loan signing of Josip Stanisic from Bayern all seem remarkable purchases. However, it is the talented Victor Boniface that already seems the star pickup of the window, perhaps in all of Germany. Xabi Alonso’s leadership has revolutionized a struggling Leverkusen team in less than a year, and this looks to be the best Leverkusen side since the late 1990s.
Xabi Alonso’s tactical ingenuity overwhelmed a Leipzig team in a crazy spectacle to start the season. Granit Xhaka chipped it forward for Boniface, who manoeuvred it through for Jeremie Frimpong to fire home from close range. Ten minutes later, Jonathan Tah emphatically headed home a Jonas Hofmann corner and Leverkusen were flying. Yet Leipzig refused to be swatted aside, Dani Olmo pulled one back, before Florian Wirtz delicately chipped home a Jeremie Frimpong cross to make it 3-1. But once again Leipzig fought back, with Lois Openda heading home from a set piece, before somehow missing an open goal.
Against Borussia Monchengladbach, this new-look Bayer Leverkusen team sliced through Gerardo Seoane’s team. Alejandro Grimaldo set up Victor Boniface before a deliciously worked team goal saw Jonathan Tah score from a Hofmann set up, as Leverkusen add set-piece exploitation to their armoury. A sublime pass from Wirtz. A brace from Boniface, and Leverkusen had three. Operating in the same silky set up again, Leverkusen overwhelmed FC Darmstadt 5-1 this weekend. Victor Boniface showcased his unrelenting tenacity, surging forward from the halfway line to score his first, before slotting home a second from yet another inch perfect Florian Wirtz assist. Jonas Hofmann and Ezequiel Palacios scored from the edge of the box, before substitutes Noah Mbamba and Adam Hlozek combined to put the icing on the cake.
Granit Xhaka is the metronome for this side, and dovetails excellently alongside the Argentine Exequiel Palacios. Florian Wirtz is the chief creator and Victor Boniface looks to have the attributes of a complete striker. With a back three of Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah and Odilson Kossounou looking resolute, and allowing Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo to fly forward from wing back, this Leverkusen team is special.
RB Leipzig
Like Leverkusen, Leipzig delivered an intriguing summer transfer window, however one undoubtedly more chaotic. For any club to sell arguably the best young centre back in the world in Josko Gvardiol, and two of Europe’s most creative attacking midfielders, Christopher Nkunku and Dominik Szoboszlai, in one summer, and to arguably improve is extraordinary.
For the sales of Angelino, Konrad Laimer and Andre Silva alongside three world class talents to seem inconsequential is astonishing. Yet, RB Leipzig have a knack for talent identification, and their summer incomings are bursting with talent and promise. El Bitshiabu and Castello Lukeba have the makings of a next generation of superstar French centre backs, while Fabio Carvalho, Nicholas Seiwald and Christoph Baumgartner are talented midfield acquisitions. But it is the record signing of Lois Openda from Lens, alongside the loan signing of Xavi Simons from PSG that have replaced much of the outgoing output with dynamism, creativity and attacking flair.
Marco Rose’s 4-2-2-2, with Dani Olmo and Xavi Simons starring in behind Lois Openda looks almost equally well set up. Benjamin Henrichs and David Raum look back to their best at full back, and Rose possesses an embarrassment of riches in this talented roster. It was first Stuttgart who were humbled in Saxony. Alexander Nubel was at fault for at least two Leipzig goals, but after Serhou Guirassy scored early, Benjamin Henrichs equalised. Dani Olmo then continued his luscious form, pirouhetting and scoring in one swift action, before Lois Openda headed in an inviting David Raum cross. Xavi Simons put the cherry on top, making it a fantastic five for Leipzig, who alongside Leverkusen, have made a remarkable case to be considered title challengers over the opening three matchdays.
Borussia Dortmund
While Bayern have at times looked lacklustre, but still won, Dortmund have just looked lacklustre. Last season’s agonizing final day in ‘typical’ Dortmund fashion undoubtedly stung. The loss of Jude Bellingham is momentous, the question remains, how will Edin Terzic’s team function without their midfield phenom. On the opening weekend, facing off against the ultra-conservative Steffen Baumgart’s FC Koln, Dortmund were unimpressive. Koln even had the better chances, but Donyell Malen almost ‘luckily’ scrambled the ball home at the far post. The Black and Yellows produced almost nothing bar Julian Brandt’s chance, and while a 1-0 victory doesn’t constitute a catastrophe, two successive draws against VfL Bochum and FC Heidenheim perhaps do.
Against Bochum, Sebastian Haller was denied early on, before Kevin Stoger rocketed a strike past Gregor Kobel. Against the run of play, Donyell Malen equalised, but Dortmund dropped derby points, and Bochum were brilliant. This weekend, another draw against Heidenheim, and Dortmund are stumbling out of the gate once more. Yet it was in every way a great football match. Edin Terzic lined up in his preferred 4-1-4-1, and Julian Brandt once against starred, flourishing in this system. An instinctive turn and volley from the Black and Yellow’s talisman, before winning a penalty which Emre Can dispatched. Alongside Brandt, Donyell Malen and Ramy Bensenbaini played well, but Dortmund collapsed in the second half. Eren Dincki volleyed home, punishing Malen for failing to capitalize on his chances, before more VAR controversy gave Heidenheim a penalty, and an equaliser. Dortmund have work to do…
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