Far more to Bundesliga than Bayern

I've wanted to change my predictions three times since I made them. Hamburg's last week has been enough to make me think they are going to be relegated, and not safe in 15th as I first considered. Leverkusen's squad suddenly feels better than third, and all the digits surrounding Kevin de Bruyne's potential weekly income have made me so dizzy I think Wolfsburg will finish outside the top four without him. Even Pep Guardiola looks like he's losing it a bit at Bayern. The point is, the Bundesliga is back on Friday and I am delighted about it.

Finally, the endless weeks of speculation can be overshadowed by some actual sport. Yes, Bayern will likely win the title, but I think all the sights and signs coming out of Munich suggest it will be a much closer affair this time around. I can't see Guardiola staying beyond this season, so this is it for him. With that in mind, the risks will be greater and Bayern will be even more exciting to watch this year. And don't get me started on those signings...

Away from the table toppers, there is a whole host of other teams to watch. Borussia Dortmund is starting a new chapter after the Klopp years, so there's plenty of intrigue as to whether Thomas Tuchel can return from a year out and take them back to the Champions League. Wolfsburg should have something to say about that, if their Belgian boy sticks around that is... Leverkusen is loving life and ready to be better than ever, but the same could be said of Gladbach and (tentatively) even Schalke - a brave new coach and some good signings makes that attack look formidable. Without those boys at the top - and the door will soon be open - this league would be the hardest to predict.

A table of talent

But let's look down the table, rather than talk down the league. What about the re-birth in Stuttgart? They look set to be born again this season - Daniel Ginczek even fancies a spot in the Germany squad! Peter Stöger has a trio of attacking starlets in Cologne, so we don't need to worry about numerous 0-0 draws anymore. And what about Werder Bremen, Hoffenheim and maybe even Mainz sneaking into Europe? Can those young guns deliver a surprise Augsburg would be proud of? Ah, Augsburg. I hope their European expedition lasts long enough for them to enjoy. Frankfurt has Veh, but hopefully not on the pitch, although the same doesn't look to be the case for the three H's: Hannover, Hertha and Hamburg face another 34-game slog. Newcomers Darmstadt and Ingolstadt will likely just enjoy the ride, and who can blame them?

So yes, Bayern will probably be champions, again and yes, it is hard to sell a league where the title race lacks constant excitement, but - of course there's a but - no league campaign is a sprint. If people only ever watched the World Cup to see the winner, then so many other highlights would be lost. The same could be said of the Tour de France, a cricket series, or a Formula One race. Each stage, over or lap has a story that is part of the overall patchwork and that is what makes sport so fascinating. An entire new set of moments that often get lost in the final standings are about to begin in the Bundesliga. They'll start with new-signings dazzling or disappointing, continue with midweek games during a dark December and end with tears of disbelief, as was the case in Augsburg last season.

I know, I sound like a broken Bundesliga record trying to drown out the noise of celebration from some balcony in Munich, but the success of this league is relative. Of course winning is what matters most to the most in football, but there are small victories and stories worth being a part of along the way. The Ruhr derby, goalkeepers scoring last-minute equalizers, outrageous own goals. I could go on, but Friday isn't far away, so I don't need to.