As Borussia Dortmund kicks off their Bundesliga campaign against Koln this Saturday, they’re intent on erasing the memories of last season’s near-miss title.
Last season, a victory in the final game would have given Dortmund their first title in a decade. However, a 2-2 draw with mid-table Mainz meant they came up short. Bayern Munich capitalized on this, sealing the title with a last-gasp win against Koln, courtesy of Jamal Musiala’s goal.
This season, Dortmund must grapple with not just the memories of that final day but also the departures of their star players. Jude Bellingham’s move to Real Madrid follows the previous exits of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, have made a statement signing. For the first time, they’ve splashed out over 100 million euros to secure the services of England’s captain, Harry Kane, filling the void left by Robert Lewandowski.
Reflecting on the challenges ahead, Dortmund’s manager, Edin Terzic, stated, “Although we were close last season, our journey isn’t over. We aim to continue our momentum this Saturday.”
Last season saw Dortmund recovering from an injury-hit start to lose just one of their last 19 league games, bridging a nine-point gap with Bayern. With new additions like Marcel Sabitzer, Felix Nmecha, and Ramy Bensebaini, Terzic believes they’re primed for a title challenge, emphasizing the need for “hard work”.
On the other hand, Bayern will be launching their season against Werder Bremen, a side they’ve dominated for the past 31 matches. Their new signing, Harry Kane, is expected to start, according to coach Thomas Tuchel. However, doubts hover around Bayern, especially after a 3-0 defeat to RB Leipzig in the Supercup.
Another fixture to watch out for is the clash between title hopefuls, Bayern Leverkusen and Leipzig, both of whom have bolstered their squads over the summer.
Spotlight Transfer: Robin Gosens’ move to Union Berlin from Inter Milan underscores the Berlin club’s ambition. Despite being a stalwart for Germany, Gosens has spent his entire club career outside his homeland. His extensive Champions League experience will be invaluable for Union Berlin in their debut campaign in the competition.
Key Stats:
- Heidenheim, now promoted, makes their top-flight debut, while Darmstadt has had four top-tier seasons.
- Last season, Werder Bremen managed only five wins in 17 home games.
- Dortmund were a fortress at home last season, winning 14 out of 17 matches.
Upcoming Fixtures:
Friday:
Werder Bremen vs. Bayern Munich
Saturday:
Wolfsburg vs. Heidenheim, Hoffenheim vs. Freiburg, Augsburg vs. Borussia Monchengladbach, Stuttgart vs. Bochum, Bayer Leverkusen vs. RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund vs. Koln
Sunday:
Union Berlin vs. Mainz, Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Darmstadt.
