No longer a top club? Ballack: "Bayern are just challengers now" | OneFootball

Michael Ballack no longer has FC Bayern on his list of top favorites in the fight for the Champions League. The former national team captain sees the German record champions merely in the role of challengers.

In an interview with Sport BILD, the 98-time international assessed the chances of the four Bundesliga representatives in the Champions League—and also criticized Bayern Munich. “For me, Bayern are not among the absolute top favorites, but rather a challenger,” Ballack explained.

The 48-year-old, who played for FCB himself between 2002 and 2006 and won three league titles, sees the team’s development under Vincent Kompany in a positive light. Nevertheless, there are limitations: “What will be decisive is whether lessons have been learned from last season. Because the attacking play with high pressing does carry a certain risk.”

Photo: IMAGO

Ballack emphasized that Bayern could certainly be competitive if they play with confidence. However, one disadvantage remains: “In the Bundesliga, apart from the 2023/24 season when Leverkusen became champions, Bayern lack real competition. You need that regular challenge.”

Ballack’s View on the Competition

Ballack also does not see Borussia Dortmund, who reached the 2024 final against Real Madrid, among the international elite. In his view, BVB needs to present themselves more ambitiously: “Borussia shouldn’t just define themselves as a development club and Champions League aspirant, but as a real competitor to FC Bayern. That way, you could get even more out of the players.”

At least he trusts Bayer Leverkusen to make it through the group stage, while he even called Eintracht Frankfurt a dark horse. “Eintracht will play a good role, maybe even make it to the quarterfinals or beyond. The team is super stable. Coach Dino Toppmöller has established himself and is an absolute fan favorite. Add to that the incredible fan base and the euphoria.”

Bayern as Underdogs?

The fact that a former Bayern captain no longer counts his ex-club among the favorites underscores the growing skepticism in the club’s environment. After several consecutive quarterfinal exits and the disappointing performance at the Club World Cup in July, their international appeal has been dented.

Ballack’s words make it clear: If the record champions want to be among the absolute top favorites in Europe again, they not only have to deliver on the pitch—but also show that Munich are more than just a challenger.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.