This is probably the derby of Champions League second round. The best German and Italian club meet in the same group after several years. Ambitions are still the same, to conquer Europe, while both clubs made a revolution in their squad during the summer. They have new managers and a lot of money was invested so it will be interesting to see which one of them will recover first from the latest failures in domestic championship. However, Bayern are in a slightly better position in group A. Bavarians opened the competition with a win over Israeli champions, while Juve only got to a slim 1:1 draw against Bordeaux.

After the unexpected defeat in Mainz, Bayern managed to win next six games, thus proving the fantastic form. On the other hand, hamburger definitely can’t boast great results, especially after the failure in Vienna or the draw in Frankfurt.

Bayern recovered well from the poor start of the season, having won the last two derby games against Wolfsburg and Dortmund. Nurnberg, on the other hand, recorded the first win of the season after beating M Gladbach at home.

After the convincing triumph in the domestic league, Maccabi Haifa had a favorable Champions League group stage draw, getting Salzburg Red Bull. As the Bundesliga runners-up, Bayern have qualified to CL directly and have much higher aspirations for this competition this year.

Dortmund failed to build on the opening win as they took just two points from the next three games, whereas Bayern managed to recover from the dreadful start of the season with a comprehensive win over champions Wolfsburg.

Not even after the third round did Bayern manage to reach a triumph in the league; actually, quite the opposite happened: they lost to newcomers Mainz. Wolfsburg lost the derby of the round against Hamburger in front of their fans, thus ruining the impression from the first two rounds.

Mainz are unbeaten, after the opening two rounds against favoured Leverkusen and Hannover. So far Bayern have the same record as the newcomers, as after the draw with Hoffenheim they also picked up only one point at Allianz Arena against Werder.

One of the main favourites for the throne, Bayern disappointed already on their first test, when they only managed to take a point, having drawn 1:1 with dangerous Hoffenheim. Ivica Olic was the one to score the only goal for Munchen side in the opening game. Frankfurt players made a real feat by winning Werder 3:2 in Bremen, thus creating the biggest surprise of Bundesliga opening round.

Hoffenheim were the sensation last season, especially in the first part when they, league debutants made it to the top of the pile. Bayern disappointed again, when they finished one point behind Hoffenheim last autumn, only to end the season as vice-champions two points behind Wolfsburg.

Neckarelz is the team named by the small village in Baden region and for the first timein club history they are participating in a professional competition. Bayern ended the season as vice-champions, two points behind Wolfsburg.