UEFA Champions League 2018-19: Analysis of the clubs by domestic leagues

Bundesliga

Bayern Munich would be looking to end their semi-final syndrome

Teams: Bayern Munich, Schalke 04, Borussia Dortmund, Hoffenheim

Performance in 2017-18:

Bayern Munich won the domestic league for the sixth time with ease and also had a relatively confident route to the last 4 of the Champions League. But the likes of Muller, Kimmich, Ribery and the rest were outshined by Real Madrid.

Schalke are making a return to the Champions League this season and in the previous season they held their own against the likes of Dortmund, Leipzig and Leverkusen to come 2nd in the Bundesliga.

Clearly, Borussia Dortmund are not the team they once were, as was clearly evident in their performance as they came third in the league and were knocked out of both the Champions League and Europa League.

Hoffenheim, under their prolific coach Julian Nagelsmann, are entering the premier competition in Europe for the first time, but they did well to finish fourth in the league, given that they were in the fourth-tier a few years back.

Predictions for 2018-19:

Newly-appointed Bayern coach Niko Kovac has introduced a system of rotation of players which will allow the likes of Robben and Ribery to give their best in the Champions League. They have been drawn with Ajax and Benfica but they are clear favorites to top their group and make it through to the semis once again this year.

Schalke have been handed an easier draw with Lokomotiv Moscow, Porto and Galatasaray. However, they have lost the likes of Leon Goretzka to Bayern. They will need to manage both Bundesliga and Champions League this season, which they should and make it to the round of 16.

Dortmund, too have a new coach in Lucien Favre and the former Nice man has already made changes to the squad bringing in Witsel and making Marco Reus captain. Having been paired with Atletico Madrid and Monaco, it will be between them and Monaco for the second place finish. They should, however, make it through as the Monaco squad looks even more depleted.

Hoffenheim, participating for the first are up against Manchester City, but they will take their chances against Lyon and Shakhtar. The away trips to Lyon and Shakhtar seem too much however for Hoffenheim and we might see them in Europa League come January.