FC Schalke 04 v FC Bayern Munchen - Bundesliga 2026/27
Nathaniel Brown of FC Bayern Munich reacts after missing a chance during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and FC Bayern Munich at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on September 5, 2026. (Photo by Hesham Elsherif/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
CSmith1919 Chuck Smith is the site manager for Bavarian Football Works, where he began writing in 2017. He is the author of The Daily Schmankerl, the longest-running daily Bayern Munich column in English, and also writes The Weekend Warm-Up. In addition to covering Bayern Munich news and providing commentary on Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga, and the German national team. He brings more than 30 years of sports-writing experience to the site. Over the course of his career, he has written for numerous newspapers and websites.
Former Netherlands international Ryan Babel knows a thing or two about competing at the highest level of European football.
The former Ajax and Liverpool winger enjoyed a career spanning nearly two decades, represented the Netherlands 69 times, played at two World Cups, and was part of the Dutch squad that reached the 2010 World Cup final. He also experienced Champions League football with several clubs before retiring in 2024.
Now, Babel has offered his thoughts on the European landscape heading into the new season, and Bayern Munich is one of the teams he will be watching closely.
“I am curious to see how Bayern and Barcelona develop this season, and you should never count out Real Madrid. Regarding Man City, I’m not sure what to expect given all the changes they have undergone, but they still have a solid foundation,” Babel told SeatPick, the leading platform for Liverpool tickets.
From a Bayern Munich perspective, that is an interesting assessment. Vincent Kompany’s team enters the season with enormous expectations domestically, but the Champions League remains the competition that will ultimately define the campaign for many supporters.
Babel also believes there could be another surprise contender waiting to emerge, pointing back to Inter’s unexpected run to the final after entering the competition with plenty of doubts surrounding their chances.
“There is always an underdog team that could have a great season, for example, Inter reached the final, despite people doubting their chances at the start of the campaign. Once they found their form, shape, and momentum, they made it. I am sure this season there will be another surprise team, that’s the beauty of football,” said Babel.
And that may be the most important reminder.
The favorites will dominate the headlines, but the Champions League has a way of creating unexpected stories.
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