When Bayern kick off the new season against Hoffenheim on Saturday, new signings like Mario Gomez will need to prove that his price tag as the Bundesliga's most expensive ever purchase was money well spent for a side missing several key players.
French playmaker Franck Ribery, who was courted by Real Madrid for weeks but was not allowed to leave, has returned to training after his knee injury but his participation in Bayern's season opener is doubtful.
"I do not know (if he will be in the squad) but what I know is he will not be starting the match," Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, brought in after a hapless season under ex-coach Juergen Klinsmann, said on Wednesday.
"The season is starting but Franck essentially started training this morning," van Gaal told the club website www.fcbayern.de.
"It will be difficult to integrate him into the team."
New signings Ukrainian Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, brought in from Zenit St Petersburg and Croatian Danijel Pranjic are also expected to feature in Van Gaal's squad against Hoffenheim, who believe they too should be considered title contenders.
While Bayern have their targets clearly mapped out this season, VfL Wolfsburg's course remain a mystery.
"Our aim is to confirm last season's position and even improve on that," Stuttgart coach Markus Babbel said.
"If we play like we did in the second half of last season we will be up there."
