Bayern Munich will, again, be the favorite to win the Bundesliga, Germany’s national league, and continue its domination over rivals.
Bayern claimed its 35th national title last season, and its 34th Bundesliga crown since the league was formed in 1963. To put their control of German football into some context, the next highest number of triumphs is nine from Nürnberg, who last won the title way back in 1968. Bayern has won 16 out of the last 20 campaigns, and nine of the last ten.
Critics point to the Bundesliga as boring because of Bayern’s incredible success. So, with all the top online sportsbooks giving no other team a chance of toppling the Bavarians, why should soccer fans bother with the German league?
Bayern may well end up winning, but there is much more to the Bundesliga (photo courtesy Pixabay)
Fan Culture: Although some of the other big leagues in Europe seem more competitive than the Bundesliga, there is little doubt that Germany has the most exciting and dramatic fan culture. The atmosphere generated at any Bundesliga game is different from anywhere else, and that includes at Bayern’s Allianz Arena. Even teams with little chance of troubling the upper reaches of the league table boast incredible shows of support, where fans create a show, even if the players can’t.
Fan Ownership: A big reason for the incredible fan culture and atmosphere cr the Bundesliga is how German clubs are owned and run. Unlike any other major league, Bundesliga clubs must allow club members to have a majority voting right. This is commonly referred to as the 50+1 rule. The “50” in this case is 50% of the ownership rights, meaning that outside investors are allowed, but the club members – or fans – will always be able to come together to vote down any ideas that go against the spirit of the club. This policy ensures clubs listen to fans, and that is reflected in the culture surrounding the Bundesliga. This traditional approach to club ownership is attractive to anyone turned off by hyper-commercialization in the game.
Young Talent: Although ownership rules matter most, fans care about what happens on the field, and the Bundesliga ensures talent is supported and given a chance to shine. Whereas big clubs in other leagues may hoard talent so that smaller clubs cannot compete, many of those players end up playing in Germany on loan. German clubs are well known for their ability to identify raw talent and allow the stars of tomorrow to play at the highest level. If you want to see the next big thing before they reach that level, the Bundesliga is the place to go. Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jude Bellingham all honed their craft in Germany.
Entertainment and Goals: With many top coaches coming from or spending time in the Bundesliga, German clubs use a distinctly forward-thinking tactical style. Games tend to be more entertaining than in other leagues, as teams are either trying new things or attacking in ways that have become more prevalent across the world in recent years. Although we can all appreciate a solid, defensive display, the Bundesliga has traditionally offered up more goals per game than the EPL, La Liga, or Serie A. The fast pace adds to the excitement and gives viewers incredible value for money, especially given the lower ticket prices
Fan culture of the Bundesliga is unrivaled (photo courtesy Pexels)
Top Teams Can Compete: Every Bundesliga team starts the season following the same path and will need to overcome Bayern Munich to win the league. But that doesn’t mean they never have a chance, and even if FC Hollywood ends up pulling away from the rest, the battle for the other top spots is always intriguing and incident-filled. Dortmund and Leipzig have been the most successful in pushing Bayern in the last decade or so, with Bayer Leverkusen coming through to claim the Bundesliga title just three seasons ago. It is not true that there is no competition in the German top-flight, but Bayern will invariably be the team to beat.
Giants Can Fall: The EPL and La Liga may claim that more teams (although not that many) can win the league title each year. But both countries still have a tiered system. It is very rare for bigger and traditionally successful teams to worry about relegation, and the league tables in England and Spain can easily be split into three or four separate mini-leagues. When you watch the Bundesliga, you will be just as interested in what is going on at the bottom of the standings as at the top. Powerful clubs are regularly in danger of battling against relegation, and some, like Hamburg and Schalke, have fallen into the second tier in recent years. The league’s parity is unlike any other in Europe.
Bayern’s Power: One final reason to suggest you bother with the Bundesliga, and shrug off any criticism, is the power and talent of Bayern Munich to enjoy. Yes, history tells us that the Bavarian club is more than likely going to win the title each season, but they are never boring to watch. Recent signings, such as Harry Kane and Michael Olise, continue to prove that top players are still attracted to Bayern, giving fans and other viewers a chance to see the best in action. The Bundesliga is far from predictable, and any soccer fan should definitely check it out this season.
