The Bundesliga starts with a match featuring last year’s champion: Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen. It is the last of the major leagues to kick off, but it does so with great fanfare in a highly exciting encounter that could begin to determine what the top tier of German football will look like this season. After last year’s surprise, with the BO4 breaking Bavarian dominance, there could be a change of cycle or it could just be a mere anecdote in Bayern’s reign. Additionally, there are other contenders like RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund who also want to join the festivities. We should not discount Stuttgart or other surprises as well.
Xabi’s team won the Supercup last week, appealing to the epic with a goal almost at the end and lifting the title thanks to a penalty shootout. However, they did not showcase the style of play that had captivated all of Europe the previous season. They will need to return to their best form if they want to defend their title. That said, the draw allowed them to maintain their undefeated record in Germany, but today they will face an opponent that will try to spoil that streak.
Borussia Mönchengladbach disappointed last season. They were fighting near the bottom of the table, eventually finishing in 14th position. In this 2024-25 season, they will attempt to regroup and become one of the most competitive teams in the German league again. So far, with only a few days left until the transfer market closes, they haven’t made many moves but have made some adjustments to a squad that lacks stars. The black and whites will have to rely on the effective functioning of their playing style to hope to contend for a European spot again.
The visiting team is favored, but in their home ground, Mönchengladbach can spring a surprise. We will see if Xabi’s team continues in the same vein; otherwise, they will start this title defense in the Bundesliga on the wrong foot.