FC Bayern enters the new Bundesliga season as the heavy favorite to win the German championship. However, Dietmar Hamann does not necessarily expect another runaway victory from the record champion. The Sky expert believes Borussia Dortmund, in particular, has what it takes to pose a serious threat to Munich in the title race.
We already got a first taste of the rivalry between the two clubs in the Super Cup. Bayern prevailed 2–1 over BVB, but Dortmund certainly showed that they can keep pace with Vincent Kompany’s team. For Hamann, that could very well play out over the course of the Bundesliga season.
When asked by web.de whether Borussia Dortmund has a realistic chance against Bayern in the title race, the former national team player replied: “There’s always a chance.”
Hamann quickly added, however: “If Bayern rack up 80 points, though, it will naturally be difficult—if not impossible—for everyone else to catch up. But Bayern has to deliver first.”
“Dortmund is better than last year”
Last season, the balance of power was still relatively clear. Borussia Dortmund racked up an impressive 73 points. That still wasn’t enough to win the championship, however, because Bayern had an outstanding Bundesliga season with 89 points and just one loss.
Hamann, however, does not believe that this significant gap is bound to repeat itself. In particular, BVB’s transfer activity has the 53-year-old feeling optimistic.
“I think BVB has strengthened exactly where they struggled last season: in the creative department. They’ve brought in two or three players there. That’s why I believe Dortmund is better than last year,” Hamann explained.
Nevertheless, Bayern remains the “clear favorite” in his view. At the same time, the former FCB pro emphasized: “But I can imagine that Dortmund will give them a run for their money for long stretches.”
Two BVB newcomers in particular have impressed Hamann: Giannis Konstantelias and Konstantinos Karetsas. He described both as “outstanding soccer players.”
“Players like that usually get the necessary time on the ball. That’s why I’m confident they’ll breathe new life into Dortmund’s offensive play relatively quickly,” Hamann predicted.
BVB Is Bayern’s Biggest Rival, According to Hamann
Besides Dortmund, Hamann has another club on his radar. Of the remaining teams, VfB Stuttgart currently appeals most to the former Bayern pro.
However, Hamann doubts that the Swabians can actually keep pace with the record champions for an entire season: “But beating Bayern over 34 matchdays is, of course, no easy task. I don’t know if Stuttgart is capable of doing that. I tend to think not.”
That leaves BVB as the main contender in his view. “That’s why I’d say Dortmund is probably Bayern’s only serious rival,” Hamann clarified.
For the Sky expert, the roles are thus clear: Bayern remains the clear favorite to win the championship. However, should the record champions fail to play at the same level as last season, Hamann sees Borussia Dortmund, in particular, in a position to capitalize on that.