Former Bayern Munich striker Sandro Wagner views rivals Borussia Dortmund’s summer transfer window favourably, despite the Rekordmeister’s much-touted spending spree.
As a result of this, he believes his former club’s record as champions is in jeopardy.
“In its best lineup, Dortmund is an absolute co-favorite,” the former Munich pro said during an appointment with internet sports provider DAZN. Dortmund has made “sensational transfers” this summer break, he added. “I think Dortmund is in a position to become dangerous to Bayern.”
Wagner rates Dortmund’s new center-back trio — which includes new signings Nico Schlotterbeck (SC Freiburg) and Niklas Süle (Bayern) to supplement Mats Hummels — higher than Bayern’s own group of Lucas Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, and Matthijs de Ligt (arrived from Juventus).
That is, whether each team plays in a back three or four, which is a point of contention for both Bundesliga contenders heading into the season.
What about Erling Haaland’s departure? Wagner is unconcerned about the arrival of Manchester City’s leading striker.
“If I have the choice between [Karim] Adeyemi and [Sébastien] Haller on the one hand, and Haaland on the other, I would always take Adeyemi and Haller,” he said.
This is an unusual viewpoint, but Dortmund has made astute market moves in the past. Haller has joined from AFC Ajax, and Adeyemi has joined from RB Salzburg. There’s also Turkey international Salih Ozcän, who joined from 1. FC Köln to add defensive heft to Dortmund’s flair-heavy midfield.
It’s a summer of big spending for both of the Bundesliga’s top clubs, as well as a bid on BVB’s part to bring in German national team mainstays. In fact, they may have found Germany’s future center-back pairing.
This type of activity is only good for the league, and we can only hope that it works out for Bayern. Perhaps not too well, too soon.
A stunning debut for Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane’s stunning debut for Bayern Munich showed Liverpool what they were missing. The Senegalese star made an immediate impact in his new surroundings, as Bayern Munich defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 6-1 on Friday night.
The 30-year-old forward scored the third goal of the evening to open his Bundesliga account for his new club, but it was his overall performance that had fans ecstatic.
Mane was a constant threat against last season’s Europa League champions, frequently dropping deep to pick up the ball and influence the game.
Mane looked right at home in the red of Bayern Munich, with one supporter writing on Twitter: “This guy was a big impact at 3 of 6 goals and on every goal outside a freekick or Corner. That’s really special in his first Bundesliga game.”
