5 clubs from Europe’s top 5 leagues that have made a surprising start this season

#2 Bayern Munich

Carlo Ancelotti was sacked after Bayern's poor start to the season

Bayern Munich started the previous season under three-time Champions League winning manager Carlo Ancelotti and went on to win yet another league title. They exited the Champions League against eventual winners Real Madrid after a spirited fight but there were signs that everything was not perfect under the Italian gaffer.

The problems at the Bavarian club came to the fore right from preseason when they went on to lose against both Milan clubs, Liverpool and Napoli in preseason games. In these four games, they failed to score at least once and conceded 11.

Once the season started, the problems began to mount. Despite winning the German Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund on penalties, they went on to lose to Hoffenheim in a league game and draw against Wolfsburg.

However, the final nail in Ancelotti’s coffin was a 3-0 humiliation at the hands of PSG in a Champions League game.

Bayern currently find themselves five points behind highflying Borussia Dortmund after just seven league games. They desperately need their treble-winning manager, Jupp Heynckes, to instil some belief and confidence in the squad if they are to at least retain the league title.