by sportswriter Zhao Jiantong

BERLIN, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- After a long summer off-season, the Bundesliga is set to kick off its 63rd season on August 22, with FC Bayern Munich beginning at home against RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena.

The new campaign raises questions about whether Bayern's dominance can be challenged this season and which teams might surprise fans.

Ahead of the new season, Bayern have signed Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen and Luis Diaz from Liverpool. However, the departures of Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane, and Kingsley Coman, coupled with injuries to Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, and Hiroki Ito, have exposed depth issues for a team competing on multiple fronts.

In the recent Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, Bayern narrowly defeated Stuttgart 2-1. This preseason match revealed problems with squad depth and a lack of reliable options on the bench.

Star striker Harry Kane openly expressed his concerns in the mixed zone, saying he had never played in such a thin squad, highlighting Bayern's struggle with insufficient backup players. The club is currently in negotiations with Stuttgart for young German striker Nick Woltemade, and there is also speculation on Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku.

To maintain its dominance in the Bundesliga and perform well in the Champions League, Bayern must act before the summer transfer window closes. Otherwise, depth problems could cost them at critical moments.

Among the "strong contenders," Bayer Leverkusen have been Bayern's biggest threat in recent years. The club had two impressive seasons, halting Bayern's 11-title streak two seasons ago and finishing as runners-up last season.

Just as many expected them to continue their rise, Leverkusen opted for selling key players at their peak - Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah, and manager Xabi Alonso all departed. With the team nearly dismantled, Leverkusen will undergo a rebuilding phase this season. Challenging Bayern seems unlikely, and a more practical goal would be to integrate new signings and secure a stable position in the league.

In the "challenger alliance" of upper-table teams, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund, who narrowly secured their Champions League spots last season, have seen few major changes.

Frankfurt sold its top scorer, Hugo Ekitike, but brought in Japanese international Ritsu Doan, who impressed in the German Cup opener with a Man of the Match performance in a big win. His efficiency has Frankfurt fans excited.

As for Dortmund, although star striker Serhou Guirassy remains, the club sold key winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. The core squad remains largely intact, and the addition of Jude Bellingham's younger brother, Jobe Bellingham, offers promise. However, longstanding issues like a weak midfield and unstable defense remain unresolved, so securing a European spot would already be a decent achievement for Dortmund this season.

Leipzig was highly inconsistent last season, showing a "play well against strong teams, struggle against weaker ones" pattern. Surprisingly, the club's solution was to sign more young talents - a strategy that seems focused on developing players but may lead to an underwhelming first half of the season.

Freiburg's manager, Christian Streich, won the German Coach of the Year award for his outstanding work last season. This season, he and the team will face the challenge of competing in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Europa League simultaneously.

Stuttgart emerged as a dark horse last season, winning the German Cup. Their performance in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup showed a strong attacking and midfield unit, though defensive reinforcements are still needed. The club also faces the risk of losing key players like Woltemade and Angelo Stiller this summer, and the latter is reportedly on Manchester United's radar.

It remains too early to determine which clubs will be embroiled in a relegation battle, but several sides already appear short on ambition. Heidenheim and St. Pauli survived relegation last season and have made few changes to their squads, meaning their overall strength remains limited.

Returning to the Bundesliga after many years, Hamburger SV suffered three consecutive defeats in preseason friendlies, suggesting a challenging season ahead. However, its derby against city rivals St. Pauli is expected to draw significant attention. ■