One aspect that doesn’t change too much for FC Bayern Munich is winning matches, titles, and trophies. The most successful club in German football history, the Bavarian giants have continued to steamroll the Bundesliga competition in recent years, just as they did decades before.
The team has captured four consecutive Bundesliga titles and won their eleventh double in their history last season, bringing in yet another DFB-Pokal to go along with their league trophy.
Spanish tactician Pep Guardiola, who led Bayern to glory for the past three seasons, decided to part ways with the club to join Premier League big boys Manchester City.
The departure of Guardiola paved the way for the imminent arrival of former AC Milan and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti to take over the managerial reins at the Allianz Arena with an arduous task of trying to improve one of the best teams in the World.
Despite their domestic league domination, Bayern Munich desperately want to reclaim a Champions League title. Since defeating bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund in the 2012-13 final, the club has struggled to regain the continental crown even with arguably the best overall squad in the world.
Holding an embarrassment of riches at nearly every position, Ancelotti has been brought in to deliver a European Championship, one of his trademarks during a historic career. With four finals appearances and three Champions League trophies to his name, Carlo just may be the ideal candidate to take over this team.
Below, we look at what to expect from Bayern Munich in 2016-17.
Roster / Tactics
Bayern Munich have a roster in place that could make any manager in the world grin from ear to ear. Carlo Ancelotti must be downright giddy while going over his choices for a starting line-up.
Usually operating with an attacking 4-3-3 formation, “Die Roten” combine a strong possession game with a relentless pursuit of goals. With players like Robert Lewandowski, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Douglas Costa and Arturo Vidal, Bayern often simply have too much creativity and quality on the pitch for even top quality opposition to be able to deal with.
Vidal is of particular importance as his ability to be a box-to-box midfielder allows others to advance and dominate the play as and when is required, providing balance to the German giants.
On top of this attack, the team’s defensive back-line can hold its own. Philipp Lahm, Jerome Boateng and David Alaba in front of sweeper-keeper Manuel Neuer can snuff out almost any oncoming offensive strike.
New Players To Watch For
While Bayern may not have necessarily needed very much, they added two smart pieces that should have a tremendous impact.
Centre-back Mats Hummels joins from Borussia Dortmund to help secure the centre of Bayern’s defence and Portuguese midfielder Renato Sanches arrives from Benfica.
Sanches should be able to provide a similar skill set to Vidal in the middle for Bayern, while the signing of Hummels both strengthens the team and weakens their biggest league rival.
Prediction
Success for Bayern Munich is not always easy to define. A fifth consecutive Bundesliga title would be tremendous, as an 88 point campaign last year was a marvel of consistency.
Whilst the starting eleven already features key players who know each other well, Ancelotti’s input and effect on the club will ultimately decide their fate later in the season. Pre-season friendlies have seen strong performances already, and all involved with the club seem prepared for the challenge ahead.
Expect Bayern Munich to capture yet another Bundesliga title and perhaps even get themselves back to a Champions League final in 2017.
