In recent years we’ve become accustomed to Bayern Munich running away with the Bundesliga title. Bundesliga, over the years, had been criticised for being uncompetitive. Bayern Munich completely dominated the League, with Dortmund providing some respectable challenge. However, the gap between Bayern and the other teams in the League had increased in the past few years. But, this time around Bayern seems to be the one trailing as RB Leipzig pulls of a shocker.

Bundesliga, indeed, had become a one-horse race. Bayern has won the last four championships and the team has been completely dominant while doing so. The gap between Bayern and the second-placed team was at least 10 points, sometimes going up to even 20, in the last four years.

However, this season, things seem to be changing. The German top division has a few surprises in store.

RB Leipzig

Top of the league after securing promotion this season. RB Leipzig were founded only in 2009 by Red Bull, the Austrian sports drink company. Few teams have experienced a more hostile welcome to the Bundesliga than RB Leipzig, with the Red Bull-owned team sensationally taking over the top of the Bundesliga amid criticism of its cash-driven success. On the pitch, however, unbeaten Leipzig have been exciting to watch with their brand of quick-paced football.

Unbeaten RB Leipzig have usurped Bayern from the top of the league table and many feel the new leaders can be the Leicester City of Germany. Leipzig set a new record of 11 games unbeaten for a club at the start of their first Bundesliga season. One big advantage Leipzig has is that it does not have European football to concentrate on.

Leipzig’s high-octane style is based on intense pressing and fast transitional play, but they can also adapt their game plan if necessary. With so many talented youngsters and an excellent manager in Ralph Hasenhuttl, Leipzig remain a team to watch. The likes of Naby Keita, Tobias Werner and David Selke provide a dynamism and exuberance to Leipzig that even top teams like Dortmund have found hard to handle. Swedish international Emil Forsberg has been the driving force behind Leipzig’s attack this season, notching up five goals and five assists. The 25-year-old is often at the heart of RB’s devastating counter-attacks, and he’s enjoying a particularly rich vein of form.

RB Leipzig are undoubtedly on the verge of pulling a ‘Leicester’ this season.

Bayern Munich

We’re so accustomed to seeing Bayern run away at the top that questions have already been raised about the Bavarians. With new coach Carlo Ancelotti settling in, Bayern are definitely not playing at their best. The recent loss to rivals Dortmund also highlighted how Ancelotti is unsure of his best team.

In all likelihood Bayern will win the title again but considering their Champions League ambitions as well, they could be very beatable. Many new players have come in and are taking time to settle. Mats Hummels has not shown the form he showed last season and the Bayern squad has been far from impressive. Ancelotti should decide his best starting 11 at the earliest.

Bayern should also look to adequately replace wingers Ribery and Robben who are almost past their primes. Bayern have undoubted quality but it’s all about attaining the right cohesion.

Borussia Dortmund

After last seasons blistering start under Tuchel, Dortmund have also had a below par start to the season. Major changes have been made to the squad as well. Key players like Hummels, Gundogan and Mkhitaryan did leave in the summer but Dormund’s transfer window was extremely impressive.

The talent Dortmund possess in attack is unreal. Ousmane Dembel and Emre Mor are two extremely talented wingers and can showcase their flare at Dortmund. Raphael Gurreiro has also impressed since arriving. The mantle, however, rests on Marco Reus, Pierre Aubameyang and Andre Schurrle to ensure that talent is teamed with experience.

Dortmund also have some very exciting youngsters who can develop and turn the team into a very dangerous attacking force in Europe .Dortmund have an attack capable of ripping any opponent to pieces and it’s up to Thomas Tuchel to harness this.

TSG Hoffenheim

Julian Nagelsmann is the new favorite coach of football purists worldwide. The 29 year old, nicknamed ‘Baby Mourinho’ has brought a revolution to Hoffenheim who were fighting relegation last season. Hoffenheim now find themselves fifth in the table. Nagelsmann has employed unusual yet effective tactics to transform Hoffenheim. Nagelsmann not only saved the team from relegation but also completely transformed the side. His rotational midfield and wide playing tactics have made the difference on many occasions. Hoffenheim could also challenge for a spot in Europe. The team has completely transformed from being a relegation-threatened side to a Champions League spot contender in less than a year.

Hoffenheim is still unbeaten and is level on points with Dortmund. Nagelsmann is already being called ‘Baby Mourinho’, a name first given to him by former goalkeeper Tim Wiese. But he seems a lot more calmer than Mourinho, as was seen during his touchline tussle with Leverkusen manager Roger Schmidt.

VFL Wolfsburg

Two seasons ago Wolfsburg finished runners up in the Bundesliga. Their performance after that famous season has been extremely poor. The Wolves failed to qualify for European competitions last year and are languishing in 14th place. Dieter Hecking also lost his job after a horrific start to the season. The responsibility now rests on Valerian Ismael to bring stability and results to the Wolkswagen Arena. He also faces the difficult task of convincing stars like Julian Draxler and Ricardo Rodriguez to stay at the club. Wolfsburg should at least contest for a Europa League spot considering their quality.

Schalke 04

Schalke, like Wolfsburg had a terrible start to the season. Recent seasons have also been unkind to the Gelsenkirchen side with sacked coaches and poor performances both domestically and in Europe. The Royal Blues possess a talented and youthful squad and should look to build around this. Schalke have also been impressive after their poor start, and are the form side of the league. The pace of Yevhen Konoplyanka and Max Meyer on the wings, power of Joshua Guillavogui in midfield, leadership of Benedikt Howedes and killer instinct of Klaas Jan Huntelaar are some assets Schalke and Markus Weinzierl should optimize to ensure that they are a top team again.

The Bundesliga has had it’s fair share of surprises this season. The exceptional rise of RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim and the downfall of giants like VFL Wolfsburg have left the Bundesliga fascinatingly poised. Apart from these teams, smaller sides like Hertha Berlin, FC Koln and Frankfurt are also putting up a strong show, making Bundesliga very competitive. And with Bayern Munich far from impressive, the league remains wide open for another ‘Leicester City’ story.

For Bundesliga Table, click here.

Picture Courtesy: FirstPost, HindustanTimes

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