Bayern Munich continued their domestic domination by winning a fourth consecutive Bundesliga title last season, beating their rivals Borussia Dortmund by a huge margin of ten points. Pep Guardiola left the Allianz Arena for a new challenge in England and was replaced by one of Europe's elite managers, Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian has won five Champions League medals as a player and manager, a trophy that has eluded the Bavarians for four long years.
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Carlo Ancelotti is an expert in the knockout format and with the squad at his disposal, expect the Champions League return back to Munich at least once in his tenure.
But the 2016-17 season promises to be a close affair in the Bundesliga as their title rivals, Dortmund have done smart business this summer. A modest record of just three titles in his 20 years of management, Ancelotti may find it tough to win the German league for a record fifth consecutive time.
From pre-season games, a change of tactics is evident for Bayern's games as Ancelotti will try to implement his ideas on the ideas as fast as possible.
Munich played a positional game when Guardiola was at the helm, but from the champions' 2-0 victory over Dortmund in the DFL Supercup, it is evident that the team will look to absorb pressure from the top teams and look to hurt them on the counter.
Thomas Tuchel's side enjoyed the majority of possession which was hardly the case during Pep's time
Bayern have signed Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund, which makes their defence more solid than ever, and undoubtedly one of the best in Europe. Signing a talented youngster in Renato Sanchez, the winner of the Best Young Player award the Euros, will pay dividends in the present, as well as the future.
If the Bavarians can stay with minimum injuries in their squad, they can go on and challenge for another treble, which has become the pre-requisite at the beginning of every campaign for them.
Let us take look at the round of fixtures that the Bayern Munich will face in the course of the season, month by month :
August
Bayern start their campaign on 26th August, as they welcome Werder Bremen to the Allianz Arena for the first game of the season.
Bremen are expected to be embroiled in a relegation battle this time, and a goal riot can be expected in the first game.
September
The first real test for the new manager, Ancelotti, arrives after the first international break of the season. The champions visit Schalke, who have also appointed a new manager in Markus Weinzierl.
Schalke will have the same expectations as every season; to qualify for the Champions League.
Consecutive home games against Ingolstadt and Hertha Berlin won't be much of a test. The toughest game of this month will be against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
The last League game of this month will be an away trip to face Hamburg, who have been Bayern Munich's bogey team. Before Guardiola, Bayern had just won twice against Hamburg since 2005-06.
October
The first game of this month is a home fixture against FC Cologne, which appears to be a sure three points. The next three opponents are the teams that had beaten Guardiola's Munich twice in his regime.
Firstly, an away trip to Frankfurt and then the home game against the impressive Borussia Monchengladbach. Andre Schubert has done well for Monchengladbach but will find it tough after the departure of Granit Xhaka to Arsenal.
FC Augsburg are the last opponents in October, who too have lost their experienced defender, Ragnar Klavan, to Liverpool. If Bayern can scrape through this month without a defeat, they can keep the pressure up on Dortmund.
November
Hoffenheim are the first visitors in the month of November. Roberto Firmino and Kevin Volland – two of their best players, were sold in two consecutive seasons.
The next two away games might decide the course of the season ahead, as Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are the contenders that Munich have to fight it out with.
Signal Iduna Park is the venue for the first ‘Klassiker’ of this season. Leverkusen have the same squad as last season and have added Kevin Volland, as the manager, Roger Schmidt, has done a wonderful job in finishing higher than expected last season. Expect Munich to drop points in this month.
December
An away trip to Mainz will be the first game in the festive month as Bayern will look to put a stranglehold on the league's proceedings. Next, they play Wolfsburg, who won't be much of a contest, and won’t be as potent as they have lost their best player, Andre Schurrle to Dortmund this summer.
Home game against Darmstadt will be an easy fixture, as they are the bookmakers' favourites to be relegated this campaign.
Red Bull Leipzig visit next, who will be playing in their first season in the Bundesliga. The Red Bull-owned side have literally bought their way up to the Bundesliga from the fifth division and will be a tough test for Ancelotti's men.
January
After the winter break, Bayern face two teams who are expected to finish mid-table. Freiburg and Werder Bremen won't be a difficult test and a goal fest is expected in the new year.
February
Away games to Ingolstadt and Hertha must yield six points for the champions as the Munich club approaches the business end.
Home games to Schalke and Hamburg are going to be close as always and will provide a stern test, with Champions League and cup games to also played in the month.
March
March features one home game against Frankfurt which should see Bayern running away with all 3 points. The away trip to Cologne too won't be much of an issue for the Bavarians.
The next away game against Monchengladbach will be a test, as they along with the likes of Schalke and Leverkusen, will fight for the Bundesliga along with the usual favourites, Bayern and Dortmund.
Expect Munich to surge ahead of their rivals as a result of their easy fixtures in the beginning of 2017.
April
This is the busiest month of the season as it features six games, which are going to decide where the league title is going to go. Away trips to Hoffenheim, Leverkusen and Wolfsburg will not be easy, as all three are tough places to go and win all three points.
The home game against Mainz is expected to be all three points for the Champions.
The remaining home games of this month will decide the champions of Germany for the 2016-17 season. This maybe the closest Bundesliga title race in years and it may be decided in the final few weeks of the season as Borussia Dortmund visit Allianz Arena.
If Bayern lose this game, they may find it tough to retain the title that they have won four times in a row.
May
An away trip to Red Bull Leipzig will be a challenge as Leipzig have a hostile atmosphere at their home ground.
Home games against Darmstadt and Freiburg are the kind of fixtures that Bayern would have hoped for to end their season, as these two teams won't offer much resistance to the mighty Bayern.
Predicted finish: 1st
Though Dortmund have invested well and Ancelotti is a better cup manager than a league one, Bayern have too much firepower in their arsenal to blow away their opposition.
Dortmund have bought youngsters who will take time to settle into the demands of a big club. The likes of Mario Gotze and Andre Schurrle have to find themselves after indifferent spells at Munich and Wolfsburg respectively.
With a solid defence, creative midfield and one of the best strikers in the world, on paper, Bayern should easily win the Bundesliga.
But games aren’t won on paper and a team’s past reputation is not how a team wins any league.
