Borussia Dortmund dropped two points on Sunday to fall four points behind Bayern Munich already. The reigning champions have a flawless record so far, winning four out of four. Given their recent dominance of the German league, is it likely we will see anything reminiscent of Leicester City’s astonishing 2015-16 feat in England?
It was Schalke rather than Dortmund who looked most likely to challenge Bayern last season. The Royal Blues were swept aside by Niko Kovač’s side on Saturday however. After selling Leon Goretzka to the Champions, Schalke have lost four out of four. In total contrast to Bayern, they have not looked anything like the team who qualified for the Champions League.
Such a decline underlines Bayern’s clear status as the top dogs in Germany. Whereas Dortmund have dropped points against Hannover and Hoffenheim, Bayern have underlined their dominance. Introducing a player of the calibre of James Rodriguez for his first start of the season on Saturday highlights just how strong Bayern are.
Déjà vu 👀 #S04FCB pic.twitter.com/4655uEdext
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) September 22, 2018
The team who have looked most likely to pull off the unthinkable and displace Bayern as champions so far is Hertha Berlin. Pál Dárdai’s side achieved their third win of the season as they prevailed 4-2 against Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend. The visitors experienced defeat for the first time this season in the process.
Bayern travel to the capital on Friday in front of the BT cameras for what shall be their toughest challenge so far. With Robert Lewandowski scoring again on Saturday from the penalty spot, the champions have a regular source of goals.
Backed up by gifted talents such as Franck Ribery, Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben, Bayern have players who have tasted success enough times to know how to do it over and over again.
Having won the last six competitions, the circle does not look like being broken. There have been six managerial changes in six seasons for Bayern during their lucrative spell. This has not had a pervasive effect though.
Jupp Heynckes, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti have all lifted silverware for Germany’s dominant team. Only Willy Sagnol did not do so in this period. This was only because he was an interim coach following the departure of Ancelotti in September 2017 though.
The inconsistency of Bayern’s challengers has made the potential for an anomaly season slim. Whereas Leicester appeared from nowhere with Jamie Vardy scoring 24 goals throughout the season, no player has been anywhere as prolific as Lewandowski in Germany.
Dortmund have not been playing without an out and out goalscorer for example. Instead they have been reliant on attacking starlets in false nine positions such as Marco Reus. Christian Pulisic rescued Lucien Favre’s side on Saturday with a late equaliser, yet there are question marks when looking at Dortmund’s ability to score goals compared to Bayern.
That’s all! Another point ✅
1-1 #TSGBVB pic.twitter.com/7z8EV4JJSv
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) September 22, 2018
The Yellow and Blacks have collected four points from RB Leipzig, Hannover 96, Eintracht Frankfurt and Hoffenheim so far. You feel Bayern would have picked up close to maximum points, if not the full sweep, from those fixtures.
It is clearly going to take something special and unexpected to prevent Bayern from collecting a seventh title in succession. They are the undisputed giants of the division it has to be said.
