Football Season Guide

Defending Bundesliga and DFB Cup champions Bayern Munchen will be looking to continue their domination in the domestic campaign while improvement in Europe will be expected of coach Josep Guardiola. Bayern's record breaking performances in the Bundesliga continued last season as they comfortably retained their league title in record time while also securing the DFB Cup after beating Borussia Dortmund in the final. Guardiola's debut season was not without its critics though, with Bayern's drop in form after clinching the Bundesliga in March smacking of complacency while their 0-5 rout in the Champions League semi final clash against Real Madrid attracting criticism from both fans and past players. The change in style of play from the direct attacking approach under Juup Heynckes to the patient passing game under Guardiola also came under spotlight, with club legend Franz Beckenbauer extremely vocal about Guardiola's persistence with the tiki-taka style of football even when it was not working. Robert Lewandowski represents Bayern's only significant signing this summer, with the former Dortmund striker finally completing the long-awaited move. Pepe Reina has also been signed from Liverpool but will act as a back-up for Manuel Neuer while Juan Bernat will compete against David Alaba for the left back position. Sebastian Rode has also been signed on a free transfer but with the club boasting of a plethora of quality options in the middle, the midfielder is only likely to play a bit-part role though his chances have been boosted by Javi Martinez's injury in the Super Cup defeat to Dortmund that will see the Spanish midfielder sit out for majority of the season. Mario Mandzukic has been sold to Atletico Madrid after the striker expressed his unwillingness to play second fiddle to Lewandowski while Toni Kroos' contract wrangle ended with the midfielder being sold to Real Madrid. Bayern have looked rusty in the pre-season, looking far from their best against MSV Duisburg, Borussia Monchengladbach and Guadalajara while suffering a defeat against MLS All Star team. Guardiola has been experimenting with a three-man defense but with Martinez out injured and Daniel Van Buyten retiring, Bayern will need reinforcements if Guardiola decides to stick with a three at the back. Bayern are expected to once again dominate in their domestic campaign, though with Dortmund improving their squad, the defending champions will have to hit the ground running if they are to have another comfortable finish to the season.