Three storylines to watch out for in the Bundesliga opening weekend

It has been three months since the 2023/24 Bundesliga season came to an end, leaving the football world with a remarkable story.

Bayer Leverkusen became German champions for the first time, dethroning Bayern Munich, but doing so in unprecedented style.

Die Werkself finished the entire domestic campaign unbeaten, as Xabi Alonso’s side defied all odds to lift the Meisterschale.

However, Leverkusen’s success was not the only enthralling storyline of the campaign, as 1. FC Heidenheim shocked the world to qualify for European football in their first season in Germany’s top flight, despite being written off as relegation fodder at the beginning of the campaign.

As well as this, VfB Stuttgart went from relegation candidates to Bundesliga runners-up in the space of 9 months, finishing above Bayern to qualify for the Champions League.

However, a new season brings new storylines, so what is there to watch out for on matchday one?

Bayer Leverkusen’s title defence

To the media, Xabi Alonso has made it quite clear that he will not put pressure on his side to reclaim their Bundesliga title.

Stating Der Rekordmeister as clear favourites to win the league, the Spaniard has remarked that finishing in the top four will be an achievement for Die Werkself this season.

However, kicking off their campaign on Friday evening away to Borussia Mönchengladbach, all eyes will be on Alonso’s side as they begin their title defence.

Victory in the DFL-Supercup has suggested that Leverkusen are on course to start their season well, but there is now a target on their back.

Still unbeaten domestically for what feels like an eternity, teams will want to end their remarkable run, and after a smart summer window, Gladbach could be that side.

As well as this, defeat on the opening day would put a spanner in the works for Leverkusen’s title defence, mentally and literally, meaning that Friday night’s showdown will be one to watch.

Holstein Kiel’s first Bundesliga fixture

It has been quite the journey for Holstein Kiel over recent years.

Twelve years ago, Kiel were plying their trade in the fourth tier, the Regionalliga Nord, but after a series of promotions, the club from Northern Germany find themselves in the big time.

An away trip to Hoffenheim will be their first time out in the Bundesliga, but it could be an interesting affair for several reasons.

Their hosts are in the midst of a club crisis, with reports circulating that a number of protests will occur in the build-up to and during the game.

As well as this, the Hoffenheim ultras have confirmed that there will be no atmosphere for their first game, making Kiel’s Bundesliga debut an interesting spectacle.

Vincent Kompany and Bayern Munich

When Thomas Tuchel left Bayern at the end of last season, there were a number of candidates to succeed the former Chelsea head coach.

With Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann, and Hansi Flick just a few of the names linked to the Bayern hot seat, it is little surprise that when Vincent Kompany was named the new Bayern head coach, questions were asked.

Having just guided Burnley to the Championship, via relegation from the Premier League, many Bayern fans wondered whether the Belgian was the person to take the club forward.

A frustrating 1-1 draw with fourth-tier FC Düren in pre-season left more to be desired, but a statement 4-0 victory over SSV Ulm in the DFB-Pokal first round won fans back.

A trip to Wolfsburg for Der Rekordmeister’s opening game will offer Kompany a difficult start to life as Bayern’s head coach, but a fixture that will nonetheless provide an insight into how his tenure in Bavaria will go.

GGFN | Will Shopland