In the 2025–26 season, FC Bayern clearly outpaced the competition. The record champion is once again the favorite to win the title this season. Even Hans-Joachim Watzke has to acknowledge that.
In an exclusive interview with RTL and Sky, the president of Borussia Dortmund offered a glimpse into his thoughts ahead of the new season. BVB and FC Bayern have already faced off; Bayern won the Super Cup at Borussia’s home stadium with a score of 2–1.
In that match, the Black and Yellows were able to keep pace at times. They’ve managed to do so more frequently in recent games against the record champions, though rarely with a positive outcome.
Watzke sees Bayern as the clear favorite
For Watzke, the situation heading into the new season is clear. “Well, let’s be honest: We had a good Bundesliga season last year and earned 73 points. In the past, that would have been enough to win the title,” said the BVB president.
He added: “Today, that’s no longer possible because FC Bayern dominates everything. But there’s only so much we at Borussia Dortmund can do to change that, because the economic gap between Germany’s first- and second-place teams has grown so wide. So we shouldn’t kid ourselves: Bayern Munich is the overwhelming favorite.”
The financial gap worries Watzke, but he can also explain it with a locational advantage.
„Bavaria is also Germany’s affluent belt—that’s another factor. But they’ve also been doing an outstanding job for 40 or 50 years. Naturally, everything flows into Bayern from there, because everyone can justify it by saying, ‘We’re doing this for our state, too.’ In the state of Bavaria, a lot of resources flow toward Bayern Munich,” said the BVB boss.
In the new season, BVB is counting on a young, hungry, and—above all—developable team. According to the BVB president, this can and must be the path forward. The goal is to play attractive soccer with a talented roster. Even in the season that’s just beginning. And ideally, this will increase the pressure on Bayern.