Leverkusen’s ambitious title defence: Can Bayern or Dortmund dethrone the champions?

The 2024-25 Bundesliga season kicks off on 24th August 2024, with reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen facing Borussia Mönchengladbach away from home. Bayern Munich will open their campaign against Wolfsburg on the road, while Borussia Dortmund will host Frankfurt.

The Women’s Bundesliga begins on 30th August, featuring a single relegation spot this year. This change is due to the top division expanding to 14 teams for the 2025-26 season.

Traditionally in Germany, the domestic football calendar for Bundesliga teams starts with the German Cup’s first round, which began earlier on 16th August. Both Leverkusen and Stuttgart have yet to play their opening round matches because they competed in the German Super Cup on 17th August, where Leverkusen clinched their first trophy of the season via a penalty shootout.

Bayern Munich and Leverkusen will clash on 28th September, while Dortmund will host Bayern in the season’s first ‘Klassiker’ on 30th November. The winter break will commence on 23rd December.

What’s New in the Bundesliga This Season?

This season, Holstein Kiel and St. Pauli have joined the Bundesliga, following their promotion from the second division, as Cologne and Darmstadt were relegated. Kiel will be making their Bundesliga debut, while St. Pauli returns after a 13-year absence. The Hamburg-based club has a new manager, Alexander Blessin, who replaced Fabian Hürzeler after he moved to Premier League side Brighton.

Bayern Munich appointed Vincent Kompany, the former Manchester City captain, as their new head coach. Kompany arrives from Burnley, with significant pressure to deliver, especially after Bayern finished last season without a trophy for the first time since 2012.

Borussia Dortmund also has a new manager, with club icon Nuri Sahin taking over from Edin Terzic, who departed after a tumultuous season where Dortmund reached the Champions League final despite domestic struggles.

The departure of Christian Streich, Freiburg’s manager for the past 12 years, marks a significant change in the league. Julian Schuster, a former Freiburg captain, is the new head coach. There are also new managers at Bochum, with Peter Zeidler at the helm, and Union Berlin, led by Bo Svensson.

This season will also be without several Bundesliga stalwarts, including Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, who both exited at the end of the previous campaign. Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, Sebastian Rode, Makoto Hasebe, Patrick Herrmann, and Tony Jantschke have all retired. In a notable move, Xavi Simons, who seemed set to return to PSG, will remain on loan at RB Leipzig for another season.

Have There Been Significant Transfers in the Bundesliga?

Bayern Munich has been active in the transfer market, securing several key signings. Japanese defender Hiroki Ito joined from Stuttgart, alongside Crystal Palace’s talented winger Michael Olise and highly sought-after midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham.

Borussia Dortmund has also made noteworthy additions, including Waldemar Anton and Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart. Guirassy was in scintillating form last season, scoring 28 goals in 28 appearances, and Dortmund will be hoping he replicates that success in their colours.

Elsewhere, reigning champions Leverkusen have brought in French winger Martin Terrier, while last season’s surprise package Heidenheim saw their star duo Jan-Niklas Beste and Tim Kleindienst depart for Benfica and Gladbach, respectively.

Can Leverkusen Defend Their Title?

While the shift from being challengers to defending champions will be difficult, there is a belief that Alonso’s Leverkusen can build a mini-dynasty by securing back-to-back championships. The potential departures of Alonso and Wirtz at the end of the season could serve as extra motivation for the team. As the season unfolds, another thrilling and unpredictable Bundesliga campaign is anticipated.

Who Are the New Talents to Watch This Season?

The Bundesliga has long been known as a breeding ground for young talents, and this season introduces several new names to keep an eye on.

Eintracht Frankfurt recently signed 18-year-old Can Uzun, an attacker who has already earned caps for Turkey, choosing to represent his ancestral homeland over Germany, where he was born. After an impressive breakout season with Nürnberg, Uzun appears ready to make his mark in the Bundesliga.

Paul Wanner, a prodigy from Bayern Munich who debuted at the age of 16, is set to spend the season on loan at Heidenheim after a successful spell in the second division with Elversberg. Wanner will gain valuable top-flight experience while also contributing to Heidenheim’s Europa Conference League campaign.