Bayern will be team to beat

BERLIN: With Bayern Munich starting its Bundesliga title defence on Friday at home to 2009 champion Wolfsburg, the question on fans' lips here is can anyone stop its march to the title?

Bayer Leverkusen has re-signed Germany's midfield star Michael Ballack after he was released by Chelsea, Wolfsburg has former England coach Steve McClaren at the helm and Schalke has recruited veteran Spain striker Raul. But Bayern coach Louis van Gaal has considerable riches in his squad and Munich is the overwhelming favourite to retain the league title, as its rivals admit.

Schalke coach Felix Magath believes Bayern is “even stronger than last season”.

Bayern's superstar wingers Arjen Robben, once he is fit again and Franck Ribery will be looking to produce their deadly double-act at the start of last season which the German media dubbed ‘robbery'.

Attacking midfielder Toni Kroos returns from a loan spell at Leverkusen, along with Bayern's rising stars Thomas Mueller and defender Holger Badstuber who all impressed in Germany finished third at the World Cup.

Up front, veteran striker Miroslav Klose showed he still has plenty of football to offer after scoring four goals at the World Cup.

Along with Mario Gomez, he will challenge first-choice centre forward Ivica Olic for his starting place as Bayern's lone striker.

In defence, left back Philipp Lahm took over the German captaincy in South Africa and only enhanced his reputation as a world-class player with impressive performances.

Likewise, defensive midfielder Mark van Bommel played a key role in helping the Netherlands reach the World Cup final and will bolster the Bayern midfield alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger, who had a stellar World Cup.

The only chink in the Bayern's armour is in defence and a decent right back to complement Lahm on the left wing.

Centre-backs Martin Demichelis and Daniel van Buyten have struggled for pace on occasions, but Bayern will again be the team to beat this season.

The standard has been set high, only Champions League success will satisfy Bayern's immense appetite for glory.

“You have to win the Champions League in order to write yourself in the history books. We have done that before,” said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. — AFP