Page 53 - Soccer360 Issue 107

Leverkusen, TOP:
Xabi Alonso looks to achieve another
special season with Bayer Leverkusen
Bayern Munich, Top:
Vincent Kompany was an unexpected choice to replace Thomas Tuchel as Bayern Munich coach
Bochum, Bottom:
Philipp Hofmann captain of Bochum
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 1st place
RECORD: 28-6-0
MOST GOALS: Boniface (14)
The Invincibles. Bayer Leverkusen wrote their name in the history books by becoming the first Bundesliga team to complete a campaign sans defeat last term. Even Bayern Munich, for all their dominance, never were able to do that. Fortunately, they have been able to retain the services of not just their manager Xabi Alonso, but also key players such as Florian Wirtz and Ajejandro Grimaldo.
Last season, Leverkusen were a
surprise package, and in the absence of expectations, they flourished. Now, the hard work will begin for die Werkself - will they be able to thrive or will they crumble under pressure? It will be fascinating not only to find out, but to see how opposing teams will approach facing them this term.
KEY PLAYER
Florian Wirtz
BAYERN MUNICH
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 3rd place RECORD: 23-3-8
MOST GOALS: Kane (36)
For most teams, going a season without silverware certainly will not set off a major crisis. But Bayern Munich are not most teams. The Bavarian titans have largely enjoyed an unchallenged dominance of the Bundesliga for ages, but now come into this season without silverware for the first time since the 2011-12 term.
New manager Vincent Kompany was a surprise appointment after the club missed out on several other potential candidates, and will not have much room for error as Bayern are notoriously unforgiven of new hires who don’t meet their high standards. How will die Roten, now in unfamiliar territory as they start a season without a trophy to defend, fare this time around? At least one trophy is the absolute minimum requirement.
KEY PLAYER
Harry Kane
BOCHUM
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 16th place RECORD: 7-12-15
MOST GOALS: Asano (6)
Bochum pulled off a great escape last season, but they may not be so lucky this time around. Not surprisingly, they have struggled to keep the services of several key players, with both Kevin Stöger and Keven Schlotterbeck departing, and so far, it doesn’t appear that the replacements just may be what the team needs.
New coach Peter Zeidler will have his work cut out for him, especially as there are several other sides who will be equally determined to avoid the drop this term.
It will be interesting to see how Bochum fare against some of their relegation rivals, as they look to prove the doubters wrong once again by staying up.
KEY PLAYER
Philipp Hofmann
DID YOU KNOW?
Kane scored
44 goals for Bayern Munich in the 2023/24 season in all competitions. Of these 44 goals, 36 were scored in the Bundesliga, with Kane netting in all but nine of his 33 league outings.
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