The Bundesliga has been known to be one of the most entertaining leagues in Europe. It tops the charts for goals per match across the top 5 leagues, being the only division to crack the 3.00 goals per game barriers with 3.17 goals per match in 2022/23. While the Premier League, Ligue 1, La Liga, and Serie A average goals between 2.51 and 2.85 goals per match. However, the same level of excitement is not reflected in the title chase in the German top flight.
FC Bayern München has had a stranglehold on the crown ever since they won their first treble back in 2012/13. They have yet to relinquish their dominance, and their recent form may suggest more of the same. However, the reason behind their dominance has changed drastically from what was previously expected of them.
Smart Signings Galore
The Bavarians are known to have splashed the cash when they are certain of their targets. Over the past couple of years, Bayern has brought in the likes of Harry Kane, Matthijs de Ligt, Dayot Upamecano, and Leroy Sane to bolster their ranks before crucial departures even take place.
They have prepared replacements and backups within their ranks, either through their youth prospects or pre-emptive signings, plugging the gaps before they even emerge. Of the four big money signings mentioned, all have found their place within the squad and have contributed significantly to Bayern Munich’s title charge ever since they joined.
Plundering the league for the cream of the crop
Although signing the perfect mold of stars has been key to their dominance, another form of signing has been equally crucial to maintaining their grip. Being able to lure top stars of competing Bundesliga clubs has been a double-edged sword that has almost always paid dividends for them.
Joshua Kimmich, Mario Götze, Mats Hummels, Leon Goretzka, Manuel Neuer, and Marcel Sabtizer among many others are some of the most prominent names that give substance to this argument. While weakening their rivals as they pluck their stars away on free contracts or record deals, they strengthen their bid to retain the title for the upcoming season. A cycle that seems to have continued ever since they brought in Mario Mandžukić at the start of their treble-winning campaign.
Although their raids have confirmed the continental notion that there is little competition within the league, recent seasons will argue and stand against it. Adding to the spice and fervor of Bayern’s continued dominance.
Improving rivals adds to Bayern’s zest
Since the start of 2020/21, Bayern Munich has witnessed three different title challengers step up to the plate. RB Leipzig under Julian Nagelsmann went toe-to-toe with the Bavarian giants, losing out to them eventually. This was followed up by a back-to-back challenges from Borussia Dortmund, culminating in a final-day heartbreak last season, as they lost the title on goal difference. Currently, Bayer Leverkusen, under Bayern’s former player Xabi Alonso, leads the Bavarians after 10 games of the season.
This comes after Leverkusen stirred up the league since the start of the calendar year and has refused to let go barring a few blips. The match week 4 draw at the Allianz Arena adds to the support they have started to garner this season as they hope to break Bayern Munich’s streak of titles.
But it may not be enough because Kane is in the form of his life after leaving Tottenham Hotspur for the red and white of Bayern back in the summer.
Superstar performances set to dazzle under the red lights
Kane has started all 10 games for Bayern Munich this season and has racked up 15 goals and five assists. Despite the starry performances from him, he is not alone in plundering the goals in the Bundesliga, with Leroy Sane chiming in with eight goals.
It is not just the attack that has been working its magic but the entire symphony. The defense has allowed just seven goals in the league, managing five clean sheets from their five games. Following the defensive strictness, the entire team holds a respectable if not remarkable 87% pass accuracy between them. The likes of Kim Min-jae lead the pass accuracy charts with 95% after Dayot Upamecano for players in the outfield.
With so many factors going hand in hand for the Bayern Munich orchestra, who would bet against them this season, let alone the coming seasons?