Germany's Bayern Munich was clear in defining its main goal for this season: winning the UEFA Champions League title after a series of painful failures in recent years, because "this is supposed to be our year," according to its English striker Harry Kane.
The Bavarian giant's journey last season ended in the semi-finals by a one-goal margin at the hands of France's Paris Saint-Germain, who later retained the title, after losing the first leg in the French capital 4-5 before drawing 1-1 in the return leg.
Bayern begins its new quest to win its seventh title by hosting Norway's Bodo/Glimt on Thursday in the first round of the unified league phase.
Those close to the club, including former midfielder and 2013 continental champion Bastian Schweinsteiger, believe the only factor that could hinder Bayern's hopes of winning the title for the first time since 2020 is a lack of squad depth in what looks to be a very grueling season.
Bayern's Belgian coach Vincent Kompany has made the Champions League the team's top priority, alongside domestic dominance, which has become largely taken for granted.
Kompany told the club's magazine in August that "the goals at Bayern are always the highest: winning the Bundesliga, winning the Cup (DFB-Pokal), and winning the Champions League, and perhaps even winning every match."
Bayern has reached the Champions League semi-finals twice during the three years Kane has played for the club, but has not gone further.
Bayern was on the verge of reaching the final in the 2023-2024 season, before falling as the latest victim of a "remontada" by Spain's Real Madrid, which continued its path to a fifteenth title.
Kane was substituted in the second leg while Bayern was leading by a goal with six minutes remaining, but the Spanish giant scored two goals in just three minutes to turn the match upside down.
Kane told TNT Sports on Monday about Bayern's chances this season, "Yes, we are very close. I think the difference last year was very small; to go out against a team that has won the Champions League twice in a row, there is no shame in that."
He continued, "We enter this season saying that this is supposed to be our year. We have to find a way to get the job done."
"A little luck at the right moment"
The England captain has been a party to many painful failures during his career with clubs and the national team.
After long being criticized for his lack of collective titles, Kane has won five trophies since joining Bayern, including two Bundesliga titles and one DFB-Pokal.
He said he now knows what it takes to win titles, adding, "It's not just about being the best team. Sometimes you also need a little luck at the right moment."
Luck regarding injuries could be a decisive factor in Bayern's season.
The club made two notable signings during the summer, focusing on strengthening depth and flexibility in a squad that will face a grueling season.
Moroccan Ismael Saibari, capable of playing in various front-line positions, joined alongside German Nathaniel Brown, who has moved this season between the left-back and midfielder positions.
Schweinsteiger said that Bayern "will dominate the Bundesliga," but squad depth may remain a concern, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Jamal Musiala.
After collapsing during pre-season training, Musiala revealed he suffers from a neurological disorder that could lead to seizures, but he returned without issues in the goalless draw against Schalke on Saturday.
Schweinsteiger told Agence France-Presse, "We have to see. There are some indications that they might need one or two additional players."
He added, "Jamal Musiala's situation is complicated. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how Bayern Munich handles it, because over the course of the season, you need strong options on the bench."
He continued, "When I remember the Paris Saint-Germain matches, the options they had on the bench made the difference in the second leg."
He explained, "(PSG's Spanish coach) Luis Enrique made excellent tactical adjustments in the second half of the match in Munich, which helped his team win and qualify."
He concluded, "In such matches, Bayern Munich may need to adapt its style of play, because Paris Saint-Germain's attacking players, and the team as a whole, pose a different challenge than what Bayern usually faces in the Bundesliga."
