Normal service has been resumed. After Bayer Leverkusen produced the to lift the trophy for the first time in 2023-24, have wrestled the Meisterschale back, confirming the title with one game to spare.
That makes it 12 of the last 13 titles for the Bavarians. And given the straightforward nature of their win, it’s easy to forget the turmoil the club was in at the end of last season, with leaving his coaching position and Bayern’s preferred candidates, including Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, spurning their advances. So, what have been the key factors in returning Bayern to the top? And what comes next?
Kompany steadies the ship
Everyone, including , knew that the Belgian coach was far from first choice for Bayern Munich. He had just been relegated from the English Premier League with Burnley and was inexperienced at the elite level. But a 13-game unbeaten start in the league allowed him and the club some breathing space.
Bayern have been tighter in defense and found an effective attacking formula, but the former Manchester City defender has perhaps impressed most off the pitch. The Bayern job comes with all sorts of internal and external pressures, but Kompany has been assured in his dealings with the media and dealt with player issues, like Leon Goretzka’s unhappiness early in the season, with minimal fuss.
Premier League pair add spark
Few players leave the riches of the Premier League for the German top flight but Bayern have broken the pattern in the last two years with the signings of Harry Kane last season and Michael Olise this. Kane’s exploits have been well documented but bear repeating: in April he reached 60 Bundesliga goals in 60 games, beating Erling Haaland to become the fastest man to score that many. With less than two full seasons under his belt, he has scored against every club in the Bundesliga.
But even Kane needs support, something he lacked last season. The signing of Frenchman Michael Olise from Crystal Palace has solved that. Slightly less direct and rapid, but much more creative and cunning than Bayern’s other wide options, Olise has added another dimension to Bayern’s attack. But, crucially, he’s also delivered telling contributions, registering the most assists in the division with 14 (up to 25/04). No Bayern player passed 11 last season.
Leverkusen falter
The cloak of invincibility fell from on just the second game of the season, as they let slip a two goal lead to lose to RB Leipzig. Alonso’s side were dominant but not clinical and conceded an early advantage to Bayern that would never be regained. Leverkusen have only gone on to lose once more (the same number of defeats as Bayern) but have drawn a third of their matches. That lack of ruthlessness has regularly proved costly.
It is perhaps their over-performance last season that makes this season look a regression for Leverkusen. But football moves fast and Bayer’s recruitment this season failed to help them sustain their excellence. The concern is that the homegrown jewel in their crown, , appears likely to move on this summer. Should he choose Bayern as his next club, as many German internationals have done, 2023-24 could start to look like a mere blip in Bayern’s Bundesliga dominance.
Bayern’s strength in depth
The potential addition of Wirtz would give Kompany even more options in an already stacked squad. Injuries to Dayot Upamecano, Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito have meant defensive reshuffles while a torn hamstring in early April ended Jamal Musiala’s season prematurely. Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry have also missed significant parts of the season, as has goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Kompany has reintegrated Goretzka, who looked to be on his way out early in the season, and leaned more heavily on players like and Konrad Laimer than he, or some fans, might have liked. His rotations in attacking areas have, by and large, been savvy.
Neuer’s latest setback has given young goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, signed from Cologne this season, a chance to impress. This may prove beneficial to Bayern in the long run, given that Neuer turns 40 next year. With in June and July, Kompany must look to a future without two stalwarts of the club. But that can wait until Bayern have celebrated a 33rd Bundesliga title, and Müller a 13th.
Edited by: Chuck Penfold
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