AUGSBURG
It seems like a lifetime ago that Augsburg were finishing fifth in the Bundesliga and making their bow in the Europa League. Last season saw them barely avoid the drop by just one point after a miserable campaign that saw them win just nine games, but despite losing their last three consecutive ties, luck was on Augsburg’s side. They have been afloat in the Bundesliga since the 2011-12 season, so it’ll be interesting to see if this 13th successive campaign will prove unlucky. To avoid that, they will hope new €4m signing Mergim Berisha can continue scoring the goals after an impressive loan spell with the club in 2022-23.
NICKNAME: Fuggerstädter (named after the famous Fugger family of Augsburg, founders of the Fuggerei)
MANAGER: Enrico Maaßen
LAST YEAR FINISH: Bundesliga, 15th
BAYERN MUNICH
For the past 11 seasons, 18 teams have competed in the Bundesliga and only one has won the title: Bayern Munich. It therefore would be a surprise if that run was to end this time. However, last season’s title race was much closer than many had expected - much to the delight of neutrals and the unease of Bayern supporters. The Bavarian titans have undergone some changes this summer, with the club opting to cut ties with Sadio Mane after he failed to live up to expectations, while bringing in Harry Kane in a record-breaking deal. The arrival of Tottenham’s record goalscorer is the biggest possible statement from Bayern that they are desperate not only to win the title more comfortable this time, but also wrest back their superiority in Europe. Having started the season by losing 3-0 in the DFL-Supercup, the pressure will be on Germany’s most successful club to clinch at least a couple of titles this season.
