The last of the major European tournaments kicks off tonight: the Bundesliga kicks off at 8:30 p.m. with reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen taking to the field at “Borussia-Park” against Gladbach. Xabi Alonso’s team is restarting with a streak of 34 league games without defeat. The last disappointment dates back to the last day of the 2022/23 season, a 3-0 defeat at Bochum. Let’s take a closer look at what awaits us this season:
WILL ASPIRINS BE REINVENTED?
The triumphant past season has put an end to the term “Neverkusen” to highlight a life of failures: the first Meisterschale has arrived, the second German Cup has arrived, 31 years after the first triumph. The only flop, the Europa League final against Atalanta, the only team capable of beating Wirtz and his teammates. To start off, the season began with the victory of the German Super Cup, beating Stuttgart on penalties. We start again with Xabi Alonso who courageously decided to stay in the saddle, saying no to Liverpool and consequently encouraging all the big names to stay. The team has been reinforced with Aleix Garcia, the linchpin of the midfield of the surprising Girona and with Martin Terrier in attack from Rennes. The game is tested, the enthusiasm is sky-high and the environment is that of those who let you work without pressure.
THE CURSE OF HARRY KANE
You can take Kane away from Tottenham, but you can’t take Tottenham away from Kane, judging by last season. The Englishman was Bayern’s big signing and the centre-forward’s chance to win his first professional trophy. The bad atmosphere was clear from his debut, in the middle of the game, in the 0-3 defeat to Leipzig in the Super Cup. Out with Saarbrücken (3. Liga) in the German Cup, out with Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final. The Bavarians hadn’t been left empty-handed since the 2011/12 season. They start again with the surprising decision to give Vincent Kompany the bench. The Belgian is coming off a relegation to the Championship with Burnley, but has the blessing of Pep Guardiola who has foreseen a future for him on the bench of Manchester City. The club has spared no expense in strengthening itself: with a year’s delay, here is Joao Palhinha in midfield. In defense Hiroki Ito, as offensive winger Michael Olise. In defense Josip Stanisic returned from Leverkusen. However, the departure of De Ligt is heavy. If after 11 years of domination in his homeland there can be a negative season, it is not conceivable in Munich to make another mistake.
DORTMUND, AN ERA CLOSES
Borussia Dortmund is a question mark, three months ago a Champions League finalist but at the end of the season they lost three very important pieces of the yellow and black identity: Mats Hummels and Marco Reus on the pitch and Edin Terzic on the bench. The new leader is Nuri Sahin, who grew up with these colors on and is expected to test the Bundesliga after three seasons in Turkey. Maximilian Beier and Serhou Guirassy are the two new strikers, Waldemar Anton reinforces the defense and Yan Couto on the right wing could be an excellent addition. Niclas Fullkrug left after just one year, bringing an excellent capital gain for a 31-year-old player. We don’t expect him to win the title, but we do expect him to be a troublemaker.
LEIPZIG, WHEN THE LEAP IN QUALITY?
They are now a big name in German football, they have started to fill their trophy cabinet with two German Cups and now they need the next step. Leipzig would have everything to try: a top-level player base, great technical guidance and excellent management. In addition to a significant catchment area. But up to now they are staying true to their line: buying young players who are already very strong but who need the intermediate step in Saxony before flying elsewhere. This year the excellent transfer is Dani Olmo. The incoming focus is on Antonio Nusa, a 19-year-old who is already part of the Norwegian senior national team and has shown himself at Brugge. We expect a high-ranking championship, but something is missing for excellence.
THE STARTING GRID
1. Bayern Munich
2. Bayer Leverkusen
3. Leipzig
4. Borussia Dortmund
5. Stuttgart
6. Eintracht Frankfurt
7. Wolfsburg
8. Fribourg
9. Borussia Monchengladbach
10. Hoffenheim
11. Union Berlin
12. Werder Bremen
13. Augsburg
14. Mainz
15. Heidenheim
16. Bochum
17. St. Pauli
18. Holstein Kiel