Bayern Munich begin the Bundesliga season as clear favourites after beating Borussia Dortmund in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, despite Dortmund responding strongly after Bayern’s dominant first half. The result underlined Bayern’s renewed intensity under Vincent Kompany and raised doubts over whether any domestic rival can mount a sustained title challenge.

Bayern have added Nathaniel Brown and Ismaël Saibari, while Harry Kane has framed the club’s aim as maintaining its momentum after reclaiming domestic authority. Dortmund have reduced their wage bill by moving on established names including Niklas Süle, Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi, and have brought in young Greek midfielders Konstantinos Karetsas and Giannis Konstantelias; Leverkusen and RB Leipzig enter the campaign with less certainty.