Bayern expect Bundesliga sparkle

Familiar role
The 46th edition of the Bundesliga kicks off with Bayern in their familiar role as pre-season favourites, but the arrival of Klinsmann as Ottmar Hitzfeld's replacement has created plenty of excitement. Having led Germany to the semi-finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup his appointment represents a renewed commitment to attacking football on the part of the Bayern board and changes are already afoot. While Werder Bremen midfielder Tim Borowski is the only new arrival on the pitch, it is the revolution behind the scenes at the 21-time German champions' new Centre of Achievement that has caused a stir. Rummenigge said: "We think we now have a squad which is strong enough. We hope Jürgen's work will tease out that little bit extra out of the performance from every player."

Schalke earthquake
Last season's runners-up Bremen have had a quiet summer with Austrian defender Sebastian Prödl their only significant acquisition, but there has been much more going on at FC Schalke 04 where new Dutch coach Fred Rutten has brought in Eredivisie stars Orlando Engelaar and Jefferson Farfán as the Gelsenkirchen side seek their first German title since their pre-Bundesliga success in 1958. Fifth in 2007/08, VfL Wolfsburg will aim even higher this season, with Felix Magath's side the big spenders of the summer. A €25m outlay has bought them eight players including 1. FC Nürnberg's Zvjezdan Misimović and Italian FIFA World Cup winners Cristian Zaccardo and Andrea Barzagli from US Città di Palermo.

Hamburg bereft
A title tilt may be a big ask for 'Volkswagenburg', and Hamburger SV face a big battle to replace Rafael van der Vaart following his move to Real Madrid CF, despite performing well in pre-season without the Dutchman. A UEFA Cup place may be their target, along with VfB Stuttgart and a Bayer 04 Leverkusen side in their first season under new coach Bruno Labbadia. European places will also be on the shopping list at Hannover 96, VfL Bochum 1848 and Eintracht Frankfurt. UEFA Cup contenders Hertha BSC Berlin and BV Borussia Dortmund will look to secure a return to continental competition once more in 2009/10. Dortmund, who beat Bayern in the Super Cup, are hoping their own lean years are over, with new coach Jürgen Klopp's arrival bringing season ticket sales of 49,000. That interest is shared by a worldwide audience, with more attention than ever on the opening match between Bayern and Hamburg. "The game will be broadcast in 172 countries; more nations will be able to follow it live than ever before," said Christian Seifert from the German Football League.