BUNDESLIGA
THE FAVORITE – Bayern Munich wants to prove that last year’s title by Bayer Leverkusen was just a hiccup in the Bavarians’ journey. Xabi Alonso’s team surprised them once but this year the music seems to have returned to the same old one. In southern Germany – not without some hesitation – they relied on Kompany, a coach fresh from relegation with Burnley. However, the former Manchester City player made a huge impact with the new, great reality and Kane and his teammates regained their role as favourites. They are first after 6 matches with 14 points and 20 goals scored but the last two daring draws with Bayer themselves and with Eintracht have allowed Leipzig to sit with them on the throne of the Bundesliga.
FIGHT AT THE TOP – With Bayern, as mentioned, there is Leipzig. The Red Bull team can count on paper on a photonic attack with Openda, Sesko, Simons and Nusa but the goals are struggling to arrive (there have only been 9 in 6 races). However, the defense is holding up and the European commitment in the Champions League is not jeopardizing a good campaign in the league too. Behind them remain the reigning champions, currently fifth. The Rossoneri are the usual goal-scoring machine but they are wobbling a little behind and that malice, that hunger that allowed them to never lose in an entire year in their home country now seems like a memory. It will still be up to Xabi Alonso to demonstrate that, thanks to his work, a masterpiece can be repeated.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT – Two of the protagonists of last season are already off the top: Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart, seventh and eighth, with 10 and 9 points respectively. The yellow and blacks were capable of climbing to the Champions League final and the red and whites to second place in the standings, but something is going wrong this year. Sahin’s team has changed a lot and still has to get going, despite a Guirassy who is now getting into form and is returning to the player appreciated months ago with Stuttgart. The Mercedes team for its part has lost some valuable pieces and relies on Undav, who is also excellent with the national team. However, the double commitment is exhausting a team perhaps not yet ready to compete at the highest levels.
THE OUTSIDER – Honorable mentions for Eintracht Frankfurt, Freiburg and Union Berlin who are placed in third, fourth and sixth place. The true values will emerge in the long run, of course, but these are teams that play well, put on a show and are collecting point after point. Of the three, Eintracht is certainly the one that can remain at the top for the longest time. Supported by Marmoush’s goals, a top 4 finish cannot be ruled out for the Frankfurt team.
