We are already at a key week in the race for the Bundesliga title | OneFootball

Icon: OneFootball

OneFootball

Lewis Ambrose·14 September 2019

We are already at a key week in the race for the Bundesliga title

Article image:We are already at a key week in the race for the Bundesliga title

This weekend is just the fourth of the new Bundesliga season.

With 30 games still left to play, it would be foolish to go as far as calling Saturday’s games absolutely crucial in terms of the title race.


OneFootball Videos


Wouldn’t it?

This browser is not supported, please use a different one or install the app

video-poster

With all of last season’s top four facing off against each other, we don’t think so.

Borussia Dortmund welcome Bayer Leverkusen to the Westfalenstadion on Saturday afternoon, looking to bounce back from a shock defeat to Bundesliga newcomers Union Berlin before the international break.

Having run Bayern close last season – certainly closer than any year since they last won the title in 2012 – all eyes were on Dortmund heading into the new season.

The club made sure of that by signing Julian Brandt and Thorgan Hazard, as well as Germany left-back Nico Schulz, BVB went big. And following a three-year stint in Munich, ex-captain Mats Hummels returned for a club record €38m fee.

“If our aim is to win the title, then we need good players,” said the current one, Marco Reus.

Article image:We are already at a key week in the race for the Bundesliga title

“With Mats, as well as others, we’ve found them.

“It should always be the aim to win any competition you take part in. After last season, and with our new signings this summer, any other target for the season doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Reus wasn’t the only one making such claims.

Chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke doubled down on the aim to win the league, while legendary-midfielder-turned-sporting-director Michael Zorc wasn’t far behind.

“Last season has become a big motivation for us,” said Zorc.

Article image:We are already at a key week in the race for the Bundesliga title

“We have an obligation to build on it.

“The aim is to fight for the title. That comes straight from the team and you see that in Marco Reus’ statements.”

Zorc, unlike many others, knew Dortmund would have to look at more than just Bayern in order to reach their targets.

“I’m very eager to see the Leipzig project with Julian Nagelsmann,” the 57-year-old told Welt in late July.

“Bayer Leverkusen played very well in the second half of last season and have a good squad. But first and foremost the title is about Bayern Munich.”

Article image:We are already at a key week in the race for the Bundesliga title

Come Saturday evening, it may appear that Zorc was staring into his crystal ball before uttering those particular words.

After Dortmund host Leverkusen – who are unbeaten this season and one of four teams above BVBRB Leipzig host Bayern Munich.

Dortmund’s 2018/19 campaign and the summer signings they followed it up with mean Leipzig have been overlooked. For now.

Leipzig quietly and comfortably finished third last year under lame duck Ralf Rangnick. Since then, things have only gone well.

They saw off interest in the likes of Timo Werner – who signed a shock new contract – and Dayot Upamecano.

Article image:We are already at a key week in the race for the Bundesliga title

They also added Ademola Lookman, Christopher Nkunku and Hannes Wolf (who is unfortunately seriously injured) to an already impressive squad.

The smart loan signings of Patrik Schick and Ethan Ampadu only added to the options available in defence, midfield and attack.

Combined with Julian Nagelsmann’s arrival, the result is a new level of adaptability.

The German has already set the team up in his favoured 3-5-2 shape this season, as well as employing the more typical RB-style 4-2-2-2.

No matter the setup, the result is the same – high pressing, a lot of possession, lightning speed attacks. And, so far, three points.

“We want to have the same result as recent years,” Nagelsmann told Fox Soccer after thrashing Union Berlin 4-0 on the opening weekend, just two weeks before Union would beat Dortmund.

“RB has been very successful every season in the Bundesliga and we still want to be successful. And I think every team wants to win the league.”

Free of heavy title-winning expectations, Leipzig are quietly happy to target the league.

It is early days yet but a win on Saturday evening would see them move five points clear of Bayern. It would also leave them at least six clear of Dortmund.

Anyone who expected a title race in the Bundesliga this season isn’t likely to be disappointed but they may be surprised by who is going to take part in it.