Was that a start!
Two top games that exceeded what they had promised in terms of entertainment value, with VfB Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim two outsiders in a goal mood and the best football atmosphere everywhere, because finally enough spectators were allowed to enter the stadiums to generate a real live experience - even for the fans on the screens.
Best of all: The hope of all those who think that FC Bayern doesn't have to win the tenth championship in a row received food at the premiere. An outstanding Erling Haaland dismantled the defense of Frankfurter Eintracht at 5: 2 into its individual parts and fired the imagination that he could be able to pull the Dortmunders with him permanently with his irrepressible energy. So powerful that they are not only beating Bayern in phases this season, but permanently, maybe until the last day of the match.
The record champions from Munich impressively demonstrated their qualities at 1-1 in the opening game in Mönchengladbach, dominated Borussia for 60 minutes and still looked very vulnerable - in the first and last quarter of an hour.
The Gladbachers could have scored three goals in the first ten minutes and referee Fritz awarded two penalties to Bayern in the last ten minutes.
Just lucky he didn't do it in collaboration with the video referee.
Bayern squad lack the depth
Not only U-21 national coach Stefan Kuntz wondered why Referee Fritz von Kölner Keller hadn't been asked to watch the controversial scenes again via video, in which he didn't even notice Upamecano's foul on Thuram in one case and in the other Had not noticed Upamecano's action against Thuram in all its vehemence. Fritz was deprived of the opportunity to calmly assess the situation. Perhaps he would have come to the conclusion of most colleagues with expert status - penalty for Gladbach.
Julian Nagelsmann can be trusted to minimize the disorder in the Bayern defense with his well-known tactical skills. But with a look at the squad, the suspicion arises that this would not solve the problem of a lack of individual class. The Munich squad lacks depth, unless the previously inconspicuous supplementary players develop into active helpers under Nagelsmann. At the moment, the Bayern fan would have to shudder at the thought of a series of injuries among regular players. The coach factor will not be able to hide everything.