Competition for the Bundesliga title is a good thing for Bayern Munich

Six games into the Bundesliga season, reigning champions Bayern Munich are no longer top of the German table, but that might not be a bad thing.

The 2018-19 season began in nearly the best possible manner for Bayern Munich and new coach Niko Kovac. After kicking off their campaign with an emphatic 5-0 Supercup win over Eintracht Frankfurt, the Rekordmeister carried over their solid form into Bundesliga play.

Bayern won their opening four Bundesliga matches against a handful of teams many expected to challenge the Bavarians this season — Hoffenheim, Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke. However, none of those teams have quite played to their top level, nor do they look capable of challenging the reigning champs for the Bundesliga title.

Nevertheless, the Bavarians find themselves out of the top spot in Germany after six matchdays, thanks to two consecutive disappointing performances. They first dropped points in a midweek draw against Augsburg, before going on to lose 2-0 against Hertha Berlin on Friday.

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Lucien Favre’s Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, took full advantage of Bayern’s missteps and now find themselves top of the league after winning 4-2 against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. The Black-and-Yellows have 14 points on this campaign, compared to their modern rivals’ 13.

Bayern are still second in the German top flight, but only just. Their weekend opponents, Hertha Berlin, are also on 13 points but have a slightly lower goal differential. Borussia Monchengladbach, Werder Bremen and RB Leipzig all sit just behind with 11 total points for the season.

While it may be disappointing to see Bayern Munich drop from their perch atop the Bundesliga table, the stiff competition they’re facing in Germany is by no means a bad thing. Ever since their historic ’12-13 season, Bayern have had overwhelming success domestically, but have ultimately disappointed internationally.

While it may not be the only cause, their lack of real contest in Germany has played a role in their disappointing finales in Champions League play. The Bavarians are accustomed to having the Bundesliga wrapped up by the time the important stages of the Champions League come around. They haven’t yet mastered the are of switching from a walking pace to full throttle in the space of a few days, however, and have suffered the consequences every year.

All the while, Bayern’s supporters and naysayers alike have criticized the club for its lack of ambition in Europe. Simply winning domestically is no longer enough. European glory is the lofty standard the Bavarian giants have set for themselves.

Ironically, perhaps the only way Bayern will find success in the Champions League is by having their success in the Bundesliga threatened, or even interrupted. It’s important for Die Roten that teams like Borussia Dortmund, Hertha Berlin, RB Leipzig and others keep up their impressive Bundesliga displays. Bayern need year-round competition in Germany if they are to take that next step in Europe. They need that motivation to continue evolving and adapting as a club.

Bayern are more than capable of getting things in order and comfortably winning another Bundesliga title, and — if last season is any standard by which to judge — other Bundesliga clubs are unlikely to continue in their impressive form. However, it would only be advantageous for Bayern if those clubs keep winning and continually challenge the record-winners.

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Dropping out of top spot, especially so early in the season, is not disastrous for Bayern. If anything, it’s a blessing in disguise.