Football Season Guide

Borussia were in deep, deep trouble last season and at one point seemed utterly doomed to relegation. The appointment of Lucien Favre as manager turned out to be nothing short of inspired though and he led the team from being adrift at the bottom to the relegation play-off match. That too was a nervy affair but Gladbach did just enough to best Bochum and so the grand old club can look forward to another Bundesliga season now. However, a team of their stature does want to be further up the table and though several of the squad have left, there are only a few departures from the first team. Putting faith in a teenage goalkeeper could be a bold move but Favre is also gambling on the signings he has made. A few players have returned from loans but Wendt and Zimmermann are aiming to be solid at best at this level and may well be found out. King, Rupp and Otsu will all be hoping to hit the ground running to find some goals and assists but one player who will be carefully watched is de Camargo. The headline signing of last season had his previous campaign ruined by injury and will now look to justify his large fee. Gladbach are a side anxious to improve but another struggle may well await them.