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Bundesliga kicks off

Fans are eagerly waiting for the Bundesliga to kick off and are looking forward to (at least) one new face.

24.08.2016
© dpa/Andreas Gebert - Bundesliga

Despite the European Championships in France and (a little) football in Rio, German football fans are eagerly waiting for the Bundesliga to kick off. What has happened in the long summer break? The most important “transfer” actually took place off the pitch: With the Spaniard Pep Guardiola having moved to Manchester City, the Italian Carlo Ancelotti is following him as trainer of Bayern Munich. In the preparations there have already been indications that this is going to involve a change in tactics. Whereas Guardiola placed emphasis on possession of the ball, Ancelotti favours a more defensive style of play with quick attacks. The Italian will know what he is doing. After all, he has won the Champions League three times with different clubs, something Guardiola did not achieve with Bayern. There have not been many changes to the team itself. Centre back Mats Hummels returned to his home club from Dortmund. He is joined by the young Portuguese player Renato Sanches, who was dazzling at the Euros.

Newcomer from Leipzig

And what about the rest of the league? Borussia Dortmund is intent on challenging Bayern again but has lost several stars to English clubs. In return the club has signed promising top European talents. Schalke 04, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach are all being given outside chances. Then there is a broad mid-table, in which – as almost every year – a surprise team will move up the ranks. Given its financial situation, Darmstadt 98 is regarded as the most likely relegation candidate. It will also be interesting to see how Freiburg and Leipzig, the two teams promoted last season, will fare. Freiburg has Bundesliga experience but still sees itself as having a lot to learn. Leipzig is a newcomer, but has a similar philosophy – with one small difference: a potent sponsor enables it to sign highly talented young players.

The first matches in the new Bundesliga season are on 26, 27 and 28 August 2016

www.bundesliga.de

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