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Europe’s top leagues: 5 storylines to watch for this season

By Clemente Lisi

TURIN, ITALY - JULY 31: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus during a Juventus training session on July 31, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - JULY 31: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus during a Juventus training session on July 31, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) /
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07 August 2018, Switzerland, St. Gallen: Soccer, Test match, BVB summer training camp 2018, Borussia Dortmund vs SSC Napoli, in Kybunpark. Napoli’s Marko Rog (L) and Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic vie for the ball. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa (Photo by David Inderlied/picture alliance via Getty Images)
07 August 2018, Switzerland, St. Gallen: Soccer, Test match, BVB summer training camp 2018, Borussia Dortmund vs SSC Napoli, in Kybunpark. Napoli’s Marko Rog (L) and Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic vie for the ball. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa (Photo by David Inderlied/picture alliance via Getty Images) /

Bayern Munich’s domestic supremacy: Calling all rivals

Bayern have dominated the Bundesliga in recent years, turning one of the best and most-followed domestic competitions in Europe into something of an afterthought sometime around February every year.

Bayern’s rivals need to step up big time. Last season, Borussia Dortmund, the one team expected to contend for the crown, were largely a disappointment. They put together an inconsistent campaign that resulted in Bayern pulling away early atop the table.

They are led by Christian Pulisic, the 19-year-old American star expected to do big things after being sought by several clubs such as Liverpool. Now under the direction of a new manager, Lucien Favre, BVB have added some pieces that could spell success, including midfielder Alex Witsel, who called Dortmund “one of the best teams in Europe.”

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Dortmund aren’t the only club that need to shine in Germany once the season gets underway on Aug. 24. Schalke, who finished second last season, could be the team that surprises everyone this season by taking the title. This is especially true should Bayern focus on the Champions League come spring and the title race remains close.

There are two other clubs to consider: Hoffenheim, who finished a surprise third last season, and RB Leipzig, who ended the last campaign a disappointing sixth. Both will need to do more this season if there’s any hope of stopping Bayern Munich from taking the joy out of the Bundesliga title race once again this season.

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