Football Season Guide

A historic campaign for Bayer Leverkusen last year as they lifted their first ever Bundesliga title and came close to completing the treble, only to fall short in the Europa League final though they did end the domestic campaign undefeated. Bayer looked in danger of losing their coach Xabi Alonso in the closing stages of last season but the Spaniard announced his decision to stay on for this season and has managed to hold on to his key players once again. There was interest in both Wirtz and Tah both domestically and abroad but Bayer have not only held on to both the players but have added to their midfield with Aleix Garcia and Martin Terrier arriving on permanent deals. They have also brought in promising defender Jeanuel Belocian though he is more of a long term project and will improve the depth in the defensive positions following Josip Stanisic's departure at the end of his loan deal. With no major departures, apart from Adam Hlozek who has been sold to Hoffenheim, Bayer will have a similar look when they take to the field in their first league game. Alonso will have to make sure that performances too remain the same as he chases another title challenge though with big changes at both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munchen, Bayer will be kicking off the new campaign as favorites to secure the league title once again