The 2024-25 Bundesliga season kicks off on Friday when champions Bayer Leverkusen visit local rivals Borussia Moenchengladbach.
The 2024–25 Bundesliga season begins on Friday with a visit by champions Bayer Leverkusen to Borussia Moenchengladbach, a local rival. Perennial champions Bayern Munich, who have once again been Germany’s biggest spenders as they attempt to reclaim the top spot, were stung by Leverkusen’s undefeated league and cup double. Stuttgart, RB Leipzig, and Borussia Dortmund—the Champions League finalists—have all gotten stronger. AFP Sport examines five fresh names to keep an eye on in the Bundesliga this year:
With a rumored transfer fee of 53 million euros ($59 million), the most expensive new player in the Bundesliga is Bayern forward Olise, who provides both pace on the wings and a reliable goal threat.
With 10 Premier League goals and six assists in 19 games for Crystal Palace the previous season, the 22-year-old made an impression.
Olise, who was born in London, represented France in the Olympics and took home a silver medal. First-team coach Didier Deschamps is anticipated to call up Olise for the first time shortly.
Along with defender Hiroki Ito and midfielder Joao Palhinha from Portugal, Olise arrived in Munich this summer.
Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund)
Although the 33-year-old German midfielder’s entrance may seem strange for a team that is known for acquiring young, gifted players, Borussia Dortmund may benefit much from having Gross this season.
In recent years, Dortmund has produced some of the greatest young players in the league, but their midfield has lacked originality and maturity.
Gross, a goal-oriented midfielder, comes to Dortmund from Brighton, where he spent seven years and was twice voted the Premier League team’s player of the year.
Growing up, Gross was a fan of Dortmund. At the age of 32, he made his debut for Germany and competed for his country at Euro 2024 under coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Aleix Garcia (Bayer Leverkusen)
Leverkusen has recruited Garcia from Spain to their roster in addition to keeping the players that helped them win their first Bundesliga championship.
In the previous La Liga season, Garcia led Girona to an unexpected third-place finish. He provides coach Xabi Alonso with more midfield stability.
Despite playing as a defensive midfielder, the 27-year-old captained Girona and finished with three goals and six assists in 37 appearances.
Granit Xhaka, the center of Leverkusen’s midfield, played more minutes than any other outfield player in the last campaign. Garcia will be able to relieve some of Xhaka’s workload.
Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)
Undav, who was on loan at Stuttgart during the previous season, isn’t quite a newcomer because he moved from Brighton to sign a permanent contract with the team in the summer.
Under Sebastian Hoeness’s leadership, Stuttgart improved from relegation contenders to second place, one position above Bayern, last season. Undav was among numerous players who shone under Hoeness.
The departure of defender Ito to Bayern, along with Serhou Guirassy and Waldemar Anton to Dortmund, makes Germany forward Undav even more important to Stuttgart’s hopes of making it back to the Champions League after a 14-year break.
This season, Undav has already made an impression. In Saturday’s Super Cup match against Leverkusen, he scored a goal just one minute after entering the game on the bench.
While Stuttgart lost the game on penalties, Undav was named man of the match despite playing just 28 minutes.
Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig)
RB Leipzig, which is renowned for discovering a wide range of potential stars, is hoping that the addition of Norway forward Nusa will make up for Dani Olmo’s summer departure, as he moved to Barcelona.
The 19-year-old Nusa left Club Brugge in August for a rumored 22 million euros; this was a year after his 37 million euro transfer to Premier League Brentford fell through.
In Leipzig’s 4-1 victory against Essen in the German Cup first round, the winger scored on his debut.
“I am aware that Dani Olmo excelled as a player for the team. He remarked, “I want to close those gaps and shine in my own manner.
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