The 2018/19 Bundesliga season begins on Friday, with Bayern Munich hosting TSG Hoffenheim.
Bayern have already won the DFL Supercup in emphatic fashion this summer, beating Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0 on their own turf. That, though, was followed by a narrow 1-0 cup win against fourth tier team Drochtersen.
Here’s the lowdown as Nico Kovač’s reign really begins.
What has changed since last season?
The manager. And that’s pretty much it. Despite Robert Lewandowski’s desire to leave and the club’s attempts to sell Jérôme Boateng, Bayern go into the season with pretty much the same squad as a year ago.
Though he wasn’t the club’s first choice, Kovač has come in to succeed Jupp Heynckes. The Croatian spent two seasons with Bayern as a player and the club are going in heavily on the idea they have appointed someone who “gets” what Bayern mean to the people.
The aims are also the same: win the league, win the cup, win the Champions League. Two out of three would be an improvement on last year and reaching a Champions League semi-final again after missing out in 2018 would be considered a success.
How have they done in the transfer market?
More like what have they done in the transfer market? The answer is very little. Leon Goretzka is a brilliant signing on a free and replaces Arturo Vidal but that’s about it.
Many would have wanted a new winger – Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben are now 35 and 34 respectively – but Bayern have Serge Gnabry returning from a loan spell and are happy to stick with him and Kingsley Coman.
Canadian teenager Alphonso Davies will join at the end of the MLS season but he won’t really make a mark in Germany until next season.
Who will be their key man?
James Rodríguez. Bayern’s wingers aren’t what they once were and there will be an increased onus on James to add goals and creativity from midfield.
The Colombian took a little time to settle last season but found his groove after Christmas and was brilliant from then on.
We know what to expect from Lewandowski and Bayern won’t have much defending to do most weeks. The key will be making the midfield click.
Who will be their top scorer?
This one isn’t really a contest. The Polish striker has scored over 40 goals in each of his last three seasons. In the Bundesliga alone, he’s bagged 89 goals in his last 95 appearances.
He may not hit 40 goals again but, barring something strange, he will comfortably be Bayern’s top scorer.
Are there any young players we should be keeping an eye on?
He’s hardly unknown but this could be the season Kingsley Coman becomes undroppable.
Last season, the winger had emerged as one of Bayern’s most important players before a ligament injury ended his campaign in late February. Capable of playing on either side, the electric 22-year-old is in line to take the place of either Robben or Ribéry for good.
Joshua Zirkzee, 17, is a Dutch striker destined for very big things but this season will be just too soon for him.
What will Kovač’s biggest challenge be?
Taking Bayern as far as possible in the Champions League.
When the league is all but over by February or March, it’s almost impossible to keep up the same tempo in training on the pitch.
Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Jupp Heynckes (last season) all struggled to keep up their mid-season form when the big Champions League games come around in March and April.
The other big challenge is helping Thomas Müller, who has had a couple of sub-par years in a row.
Can you show me their home and away jersey and give it a mark out of 10?
The home shirt looks great, doesn’t it? Contrasting shades of red, an interesting pattern, a deep blue on the cuff. Nice work. 9/10
As for the away, you can see why it’ll divide opinion. That is a brave colour. But we like it. 7/10
What does Bayern’s best XI look like?
And finally, where will Bayern finish in the Bundesliga?
Where do you think?
Bayern are winning the Bundesliga title for a seventh consecutive season.
(this is college assignment)source: https://onefootball.com/
(this is college assignment)source: https://onefootball.com/
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