Page 46 - Soccer360 - Issue 103

WHO CAN STOP
BAYERN
Augsburg
It seems like a lifetime ago that Augsburg were finishing fifth in the Bundesliga and making their bow in the Europa League. Last season saw them barely avoid the drop by just one point after a miserable campaign that saw them win just nine games, but despite losing their last three consecutive ties, luck was on Augsburg’s side. They have been afloat in the Bundesliga since the 2011-12 season, so it’ll be interesting to see if this 13th successive campaign will prove unlucky. To avoid that, they will hope new €4m signing Mergim Berisha can continue scoring the goals after an impressive loan spell with the club
THE 2022-23 BUNDESLIGA SEASON SAW THE TITLE RACE GO DOWN TO THE WIRE AND A TENSE BATTLE TO AVOID THE DROP. WILL THE 2023-24 TERM PROVIDE JUST AS MUCH ENTERTAINMENT AS ITS PREDECESSOR? MICHELLE OSEI BONSU PREVIEWS THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF GERMAN TOP-FLIGHT FOOTBALL.
Bayer Leverkusen
It was a nervy season for Bayer Leverkusen last term, as die Werkself briefly flirted with the drop zone before Xabi Alonso’s arrival sparked a remarkable turnaround. Under the Spaniard’s tenure, Leverkusen made it to the semi-finals of the Europa League and will be back in the competition after finishing in sixth place last season. They’ve had some players leave, including striker Moussa Diaby who left for Aston Villa in a massive money deal, but have strengthened across all fronts with signings like Nigerian youngster Victor Boniface and veteran midfielder Granit Xhaka, who is back in Germany after seven seasons
at Arsenal. With Alonso now seemingly having things back under control, Leverkusen will hope to join the likes of RB Leipzig, Borussia Monchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund, and others in battling for a top four berth.
NICKNAME:
Die Werkself (The Company’s Eleven)
MANAGER:
Xabi Alonso
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Bundesliga, 6th
Augsburg’s goalkeeper Tomas Koubek (2nd-L) reacts with his teammates during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund
After taking over the struggling club and helping them get back on track, what new heights will Leverkusen and Alonso reach this season?
in 2022-23.
Bayern Munich
NICKNAME:
Fuggerstädter (named after the famous Fugger family of Augsburg, founders of the Fuggerei)
MANAGER:
Enrico Maaßen
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Bundesliga, 15th
Bayern Munich are hoping Harry Kane can replicate his goalscoring record for Tottenham
For the past 11 seasons, 18 teams have competed in
the Bundesliga and only one has won the title: Bayern Munich. It therefore would be a surprise if that run was to end this time. However, last season’s title race was much closer than many had expected - much to the delight of neutrals and the unease of Bayern supporters. The Bavarian titans have undergone some changes this summer, with the club opting to cut ties with Sadio Mane after he failed to live up to expectations, while bringing in Harry Kane in a record-breaking deal. The arrival of Tottenham’s record goalscorer is the biggest possible statement from Bayern that they are desperate not only to win the title more comfortable this time,
but also wrest back their superiority in Europe. Having started the season by losing 3-0 in the DFL-Supercup, the pressure will be on Germany’s most successful club to clinch at least a couple of titles this season.
NICKNAME:
Die Bayern (The Bavarians) Die Roten (The Reds)
FC Hollywood
MANAGER:
Thomas Tuchel
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Bundesliga Champions
46 SOCCER360 MAGAZINE
2023-24 BUNDESLIGA SEASON PREVIEW