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I am desperate for the new season to start and I think this promises to be one of the most competitive seasons ever in the Bundesliga. I've open this topic to start a pre-season discussion of the Bundesliga 08/09 in general (e.g. expectations, predictions, etc).

The first reason why I'm so excited about this season is, obviously, because we are back in Champions League, and with probably one of the best Bayern teams in the last 10 years. But other than that I think this is gonna be a very competitive season with several possible contenders looking great. Take a look at the following teams:

1) Schalke: they signed two great players in Farffan and Engelaar to complement an already good team that can boast having a midfield with Rakitic (who is only gonna improve with experience), Jones, Streit, Ernst, and a defense with Bordon, Pander, Rafinha and Westerman. Some of the aforementioned players are still young but reaching an age in which they are expected to peak.

2) Wolfburg: has suprised with the signings of two Italian internationals in Zachardo and Barzagli. It is gonna be one of the toughest defenses to break. They are making major improvements on a team that already finished in a good place last year.

3) Leverkusen: has several young players who are ready to peak this season: Barnetta, Castro, Rolfes, Kiessling and on top of that they have just signed one of the brightest Brazilian prospects: Renato Augusto (check videos in youtube, the guy is amazing).

4) Werder: has not signed any outstanding players so far, but if Ozil lives to expectations the duo in midfield with Diego looks to terrorize defenses.

5) Hamburg: not sure what to expect here. If they can keep Van der Vaart they will be a threat as always, but if they loose him I would not be surprise if they battle in the relegation zone.

6) Stuttgart: team pretty much unchanged but is also another team with young players ready to peak (Hilbert, Khedira, not to mention Gomez whom if he keeps improving he'll be better than Toni).

I think Bayern has the best squad but It will definitely be a tough challenge for Klinsmann starting his career at Bayern in what looks to be the most competitive season ever in Bundesliga. All eyes are gonna be on him. Crap! I am a little nervous already. I think we are gonna witness a season to remember.

Bayern will reach the Champions League final. I'm going to stop there, then we'll see. What do you think Munchen FC ?

well I didn't say the best team in the last ten years, I said "one" of the best. Obviusly not as good as the late 90's early 00's team, but certainly close. Also, most of the players you mentioned were old already in that time period, so our current age "problems" (which I still don't see it as an important factor this season, only Ze is really old) are not any different than the team in the early 00's.
I think we have a few, very promising, young players too in the likes of Kroos and Sosa (who might have not impressed in his first season but he was injured a lot and also some players take some time to adapt to a new league). Toni and Klose are not that old (31?), thats not a bad age but I'll be concerned next season. Also, Altintop was outstanding in the Euro's and I'm sure he is only gonna play better in his second season at Bayern. Finally, Poldi and Schweini, are going to improve under Klinsmann. I'm sure they can't do worst than the last two seasons anyways...

PS. letting go of Schlaudraff was a terrible decision though...

mackoy wrote:Bayern will reach the Champions League final. I'm going to stop there, then we'll see. What do you think Munchen FC ?

you obviously know that i know that there gona win the CL!

http://www.bundesligatalk.com/die-tabel ... preview/55

Interesting and funny analysis of the upcoming season. I agree with the fact that Schalke will pose the greatest threat to us, they might even win it.

did you guys see Marko Marin's goal last nite against Belgium???

Lets give B. Moen. Schweini and lets get Marin...

MUTU wrote:

walter wrote:did you guys see Marko Marin's goal last nite against Belgium???

Lets give B. Moen. Schweini and lets get Marin...

How about we give them Van Buyten in return?

You're sure you wanna be se generous ?

You know what, I think Dortmund might surprise everyone this year. I think they show promise. I really don't like the way Werder are playing either, looks like losing Borowski hit them quite a bit.

Dortmund is certainly looking good. I think Jurgen Klopp is a good coach with lots of charisma and Tamas Hajnal is becoming one of the best playmakers in the league. Before the start of the season I thought the team that was gonna win this year was Schalke, but after seeing them being humbled by Atletico I have my doubts--they seem to rely to much on set pieces. Werder has not impressed yet but they'll find their game I am sure, but relative to Schalke, HSV, and Leverkusen, it is the only top team that has not really improved much in terms of transfers (as a matter of fact they have not really compensated for loosing Klasnic and Borowski, so they are weaker than last season).
I have regained my faith in Bayern to win again this season but I think is definitely gonna be tougher this year seeing how HSV, Schalke and Leverkusen have improved with their new signings and with their young talents.

walter wrote:Dortmund is certainly looking good. I think Jurgen Klopp is a good coach with lots of charisma and Tamas Hajnal is becoming one of the best playmakers in the league. Before the start of the season I thought the team that was gonna win this year was Schalke, but after seeing them being humbled by Atletico I have my doubts--they seem to rely to much on set pieces. Werder has not impressed yet but they'll find their game I am sure, but relative to Schalke, HSV, and Leverkusen, it is the only top team that has not really improved much in terms of transfers (as a matter of fact they have not really compensated for loosing Klasnic and Borowski, so they are weaker than last season).
I have regained my faith in Bayern to win again this season but I think is definitely gonna be tougher this year seeing how HSV, Schalke and Leverkusen have improved with their new signings and with their young talents.

Of course, I want Bayern to win, but I'd prefer a league where it is extremely competitive and hard to win. Bayern are too used to winning. Having the German clubs become better and the league harder will also make Bayern more used to playing tough teams, thus improving our performance in the Champion's League. The English clubs are living proof of this method.

FCBayernMunchen wrote:

walter wrote:Dortmund is certainly looking good. I think Jurgen Klopp is a good coach with lots of charisma and Tamas Hajnal is becoming one of the best playmakers in the league. Before the start of the season I thought the team that was gonna win this year was Schalke, but after seeing them being humbled by Atletico I have my doubts--they seem to rely to much on set pieces. Werder has not impressed yet but they'll find their game I am sure, but relative to Schalke, HSV, and Leverkusen, it is the only top team that has not really improved much in terms of transfers (as a matter of fact they have not really compensated for loosing Klasnic and Borowski, so they are weaker than last season).
I have regained my faith in Bayern to win again this season but I think is definitely gonna be tougher this year seeing how HSV, Schalke and Leverkusen have improved with their new signings and with their young talents.

Of course, I want Bayern to win, but I'd prefer a league where it is extremely competitive and hard to win. Bayern are too used to winning. Having the German clubs become better and the league harder will also make Bayern more used to playing tough teams, thus improving our performance in the Champion's League. The English clubs are living proof of this method.

I could not agree more. that's the whole point when I started this thread. This is gonna be the most competitive season in years. We should always support the league in general getting better and not just Bayern.

Schalke is gonna be the team thats gonna challenge us the most in this year's Bundesliga .
They are looking decent with the new manager - Fred Rutten - and with the signings of Farfan and
Engeelar they have improved the quality of their squad .
So they're gonna be the team to watch , as for Dortmund they are certainly doing good right now , but I dont think
they're gonna enjoy this form the whole year .