What Next for the Bundesliga's Chasing Pack - What They Need to Do to Catch Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich's stranglehold on the Bundesliga continued on Tuesday night as Die Roten secured their eighth straight title with a 1-0 win over Werder Bremen.
Viewed in isolation, Bayern being crowned champions with two games to spare seems to tell a familiar story of Bavarian dominance. However, at times this season, fans have been treated to the rarest of sights - an actual Bundesliga title race.
Borussia Monchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig have all topped the table at various points and the eventual champions were sitting in seventh place as recently as November.
Perhaps this is evidence of Bayern's hegemony beginning to erode? Then again, probably not. So what exactly do the chasing need to do to topple Hansi Flick's seemingly unstoppable side?
Borussia Dortmund
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. A therapist would have a field day picking apart the inferiority complex that Borussia Dortmund have built up over the last several years.
Lucien Favre's side are poised to finish second once again and with Jadon Sancho set for a move away from the club, they stand to lose 34 Bundesliga goal involvements next season. That's gotta sting.
Sancho is not the only BVB player that could end up departing as well. Achraf Hakimi - one of the best full-backs in world football - is also set to return to Real Madrid following his loan spell, and although they will be trying to get him back permanently they face stiff competition from across Europe.
So, top of Dortmund's to-do list is replace their entire right-hand side. It won't be easy and even if they do manage to secure two inspired signings they still be left with a squad that has shown itself to be some way off challenging Bayern.
So, in answer to the title of this article, what's next for Dortmund is hoping that Erling Haaland increases his superhuman goal scoring record further and the entire squad addresses the rampant inconsistency that has plagued them at key points of the current campaign. Should be easy, no?
RB Leipzig
The team that German football fans love to hate - or more accurately, just hate - have really pushed on under Julian Nagelsmann this season.
Die Roten Bullen have topped the table for a combined eight matchdays, showcasing some high-octane counter-attacking football in the process.
They are a similar boat as Dortmund in the sense that their squad is set to be considerably weakened by the imminent departure of Timo Werner to Chelsea. The 24-year-old has been the club's shining light this season, netting 25 goals and also laying on eight assists.
Centre-back Dayot Upamecano has also been linked with a move away from the club, though he looks set to stick about for now. This is welcome news for Nagelsmann as for all of Leipzig's sexy attacking play, the foundations of their success have been built on a stubborn defensive record and an organised press.
Going forward, the club should be readying themselves to spend big on a new striker as although Patrik Schick and Yussuf Poulsen are good options, more firepower will be required to halt Bayern waltzing to yet another Bundesliga title.
Borussia Monchengladbach
There are sense that Borussia Monchengladbach might have maxed out their potential this season.
Marco Rose - the dashing, pressing loving genius that he is - has managed to get Champions League qualification form out of a Europa League squad, with the inspired performances of Alassane Plea being particularly eyebrow raising.
Gladbach's plans for the future hinge on whether they can pip Bayer Leverkusen to a place in Europe's premier cup competition next season. If they do, the newly found riches that await them would change the club immeasurably, giving them access to player markets they could have only dreamed of in years' gone by.
Key to any future success will be holding onto the in demand Rose who must be in line for a big job in the future.
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen were never really in contention for the Bundesliga title, but a near flawless record since the league got back up and running again has seen them emerge as potential Champions League qualifiers.
Peter Bosz's side is an exciting blend of youth and experience, though they stand to lose a significant amount of the former when the transfer window opens.
Captain and talisman Kai Havertz has been linked with *insert big European club here* in recent weeks, while there is also interest in Jonathan Tah, Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby - who have all impressed to varying extents this season.
Like with Gladbach, the 2020/2021 campaign will look very different for Leverkusen depending on whether they finish in the top four or not. If they do they'll be in a far stronger position to resist Havertz's and other player's requests for moves away.