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Bayern versus Dortmund

Klein Thomas Kommentarbild App
Thomas Klein
Commentary
August 26, 2016

You don't need to be a genius to predict that Bayern are the huge favorites in 2016-17. But DW Sports' eternal optimist Thomas Klein believes Dortmund can mount a challenge.

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Deutschland Fußball Bundesliga FC Bayern München vs. Borussia Dortmund
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/O. Hardt

Be honest. How much are you really looking forward to the new Bundesliga season? Do you truly have any doubts as to who will win the title?

For most people the question isn't if but when Bayern can began planning their celebrations of an unprecedented fifth Bundesliga crown on the trot. After all, for the past four seasons, the title race has been a foregone conclusion.

Nothing happened on the summer transfer market to undermine confidence in the Bavarians' domination. Bayern have strengthened an already stellar squad with the additions of Mats Hummels and Renato Sanches. They also have a new coach in 57-year-old Carlo Ancelotti, who brings with him experience from Italy, England, France and Spain and has won nearly everything under the sun.

The competition has every reason to fear the defending champs. But there is a glimmer of hope. No, really! One club could trip up Bayern on their would-be march to the title: Borussia Dortmund.

Okay, coach Thomas Tuchel will have to compensate for the losses of Hummels, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ilkay Gündogan. But sporting director Michael Zorc has invested 110 million euros in players that include Marc Bartra, Sebastian Rode, Ousmane Dembele, André Schürrle and Mario Götze.

Klein Thomas Kommentarbild App
DW sports writer Thomas Klein

That gives the tactician Tuchel a fantastic variety of options. And in the preseason Super Cup, Dortmund were able to hold their own against Bayern, losing narrowly 2-0. So it's by no means inconceivable that Tuchel's strategic nous will able to counter the strength of Bayern's squad.

Will it be enough to bring the "salad bowl" back to Dortmund? Time will tell. But I will make one bold predict as the 2016-17 campaign kicks off: this season will be more exciting than expected.

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