Historically, very few sides in Germany have been able to compete with Bayern Munich. The Bavarian giants have always been the Bundesliga's big threat in Europe and they have won the Champions League - and its predecessor the European Cup - a grand total of five times.
They are also naturally a huge draw in Germany. So much so that they were able to prise Borussia Dortmund starlet Mario Gotze away in the summer from the club he had been at since 2001. They also brought in Pep Guardiola to coach them, all after completing a memorable treble in Jupp Heynckes's final season in charge. Here, however, Sports Mole considers whether Dortmund have enough about them to get back on top in Germany this season.
It is worth remembering that before last season Dortmund had won back-to-back titles. It was the manner of Bayern's response - they won the league by 25 points and beat Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the Champions League - that was so impressive. They played some breathtaking football and have a squad that can remain stable for a few more years.
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Many suggested that the control of European football had shifted to Bavaria, which could still be right, but early signs in the Bundesliga suggest that Dortmund could still nip in.
For a start, despite Dortmund bringing in more players, Bayern have arguably undergone greater changes this summer. With a new coach always comes a fresh outlook on the team and a new style of play. Early on, Munich have not been as fluid as they were from the off last season. Guardiola has a preference to play one main anchorman in midfield, while Heynckes used two, which in theory should lead to more attacking football - and might still, in time - but has at the moment seen a lack of creativity through the middle. Of course, they are still picking up points which is key.
On the other hand, Dortmund have the same coach in Jurgen Klopp and, although they have brought in two players in the attacking third, they have hit the ground running. Their 6-2 win over Hamburger SV was testament to how well both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have settled. The former came into the team for Jakub Blaszczykowski and scored twice, while Mkhitaryan, a direct replacement for the departed Gotze, added one of his own.
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And that is where Klopp's signing could see Dortmund take an early lead in the title race. While Guardiola is trying to fit existing players into a new system, Klopp has the arguably simpler task of making a few new faces aware of his style. Certainly at this early stage, the Dortmund players have not suffered from a lack of confidence that a new game plan can introduce.
Klopp's attacking signings are essentially like-for-like. Aubameyang is fast and direct much like Blaszczykowski and Marco Reus, who he is in competition with, while Mkhitaryan can create in a similar fashion to Gotze and also has plenty of goals behind him. These players effortlessly fit into Klopp's style of play, which reduces the time required to gel.
Of course, it is a long season and often injuries and suspensions can play a part over the 34 games. In that respect, Dortmund do lack a little bit of depth in the attacking third. While Bayern can rotate the likes of Arjen Robben, Gotze, Franck Ribery, Xherdan Shaqiri, Thomas Muller and even Toni Kroos, really there are only four top-class players in the same area for Dortmund.
Should Dortmund's players stay healthy and continue their form, then one thing is for sure: the Bundesliga will be a much closer affair this season.
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Matt Domm
