With the 2018-19 Bundesliga season underway, which teams could challenge Bayern Munich for the title of Deutscher Meister this year?
Borussia Dortmund
The obvious candidates, Borussia Dortmund have developed into Bayern Munich’s biggest domestic rival in the past decade. The Black-and-Yellows have recently struggled to reach the heights of their 2012-13 campaign, when they challenged their rivals for both Bundesliga and Champions League titles, but still remain a formidable opponent.
Dortmund have gone through their fair share of trials in the past handful of seasons. Thomas Tuchel didn’t prove the savior many hoped he would be after Jurgen Klopp’s departure. The astute tactician looked to have the club back on the right path, but internal disputes saw him leave after just one season.
His successor, Peter Bosz, was an absolute disaster. After winning six of their first seven Bundesliga matches, Dortmund went on an eight game winless streak, drawing three and losing the rest.
Bosz was soon sacked and replaced by former FC Koln manager Peter Stoger, who was able to steady the ship and guide the club to a narrow fourth-place finish.
Stoger’s appointment was only temporary, however. Renown Bundesliga manager Lucien Favre is now at the helm, hoping to bring Borussia Dortmund back to the top of German soccer.
Favre isn’t the only new addition BVB made over the summer. The club strengthened their midfield significantly with the acquisitions of Thomas Delaney and Axel Witsel. The duo — together with Mario Gotze, Julian Weigl and Mahmoud Dahoud — form one of the most imposing midfields in Germany.
22-year-old Abdou Diallo joins as a replacement for Sokratis in defense, while Marius Wolf replaces Andriy Yarmolenko as a solid option on the right wing. The club also signed goalkeeper Marwin Hitz from Augsburg, who will serve as an excellent back-up option for Roman Burki, and perhaps even replace him as number one between the sticks.
As noted, Dortmund’s midfield is genuinely impressive and will be a big part of any title challenge they put together.
While their defense lacks some experience, Favre is well-known for his ability to bring out the best in his youngsters. Though the backline seems a bit questionable, the experience of Marcel Schmelzer, Lukasz Piszczek and Omer Toprak should be enough for them to remain solid.
Their attack is formidable as well, with veteran winger Marco Reus and young stars like Christian Pulisic, Jadon Sancho and Maximilian Philipp providing a threat from out wide. But their lack of a true striker could haunt them.
As of now, BVB haven’t made a move for someone who can lead the line and be relied upon to score 20 or so goals this campaign. After losing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last season, Michy Batshuayi was brought in and filled that role to perfection.
However, Dortmund’s reluctance to pay up and make the Belgian’s move permanent means they currently enter the season without an out-and-out center forward. Should they make a move in the final few days of the transfer window for someone who can fill that role, Borussia Dortmund could be a real competitor in the Bundesliga this season. If not, however, they could struggle to score the goals necessary to challenge Bayern Munich.