Bundesliga Watch: Dortmund Lead the Chase Behind Bayern

Bayern remain the Bundesliga benchmark after Supercup success and a thumping league opener — but the “best of the rest” conversation centres on Borussia Dortmund.

Bayer Leverkusen enter a calmer pre-season under new coach Carles Martínez after missing Champions League last term, while RB Leipzig again have European football but lost key talent to bigger markets. Stability versus star power will define who can hang onto Bayern’s coat-tails into autumn.

With the Bundesliga among the last of Europe’s big five to return after the World Cup, early fixture congestion will test depth across the top four race.

Preview themes from Guardian / Bundesliga season analysis (late August 2026).