The 44th edition of the German Bundesliga kicks-off on Friday August 11th when champions Bayern Munich begin their title defense by facing rivals Borussia Dortmund. FilGoal.com offers a look at the prospects for Bundesliga clubs in the 2006-07 season. The clubs are listed according to last season's standings. Borussia Moenchengladbach: Coach: Jupp Heynckes Borussia Moenchengladbach are aiming to regain their 1970s glory years when they won five Bundesliga titles as their positions in recent seasons were very disappointing. They have good players at their disposal who could help them improve on their 10th place from last season like German international Oliver Neuville, striker Wesley Sonck and defender Marcell Jansen. FSV Mainz 05: Coach: Juergen Klopp Mainz are progressing since sealing promotion to the top flight back in 2004. They battled for Bundesliga stay in 2004-2005 and in the 2005-2006 season they were placed 11th, five points clear of relegation. Mainz will be targeting a UEFA Cup place after they tasted playing in Europe when they entered the competition following the 2004/2005 season through Fair Play rankings. Hanover 96: Coach: Peter Neururer Hanover fans are expecting their team to be more ambitious as the team plays to stay in the Bundesliga. Hanover's strength lies in their front line which contains Vahid Hashemian, Thomas Brdaric and Jiri Stajner while their defense will be affected by Per Mertesacker's departure to Werder Bremen, although they signed Frank Fahrenhorst as a replacement. Arminia Bielefeld: Coach: Thomas von Heesen Arminia Bielefeld, known for their rollercoaster Bundesliga campaigns, suffered a blow ahead of the new season with the news that South African international Sibusiso Zuma suffered a knee injury that will rule him out for six weeks.
Mainz The team is struggling before the start of the new season as new arrival Christian Eigler is also injured while Ghana international Isaac Boakye joined Wolfsburg. Eintracht Frankfurt: Coach: Friedhelm Funkel Eintracht Frankfurt must improve their display if they want to ensure safety in the Bundesliga next season after they finished in 14th spot, just three points above the relegation zone. They strengthened their attack by signing Naohiro Takahara from Hamburg and Michael Thurk from Mainz. VfL Wolfsburg Coach: Klaus Augenthaler Wolfsburg escaped relegation from the Bundesliga last season in the final day following a 2-2 draw with Kaiserslautern. They hope to make up for this disappointment and push for a place in the upper part of the table. Their star players are Simon Jentzsch, Diego Klimowicz and Mike Hanke. Alemannia Aachen: Coach: Dieter Hecking Alemannia Aachen finally ended their 36 year absence from the Bundesliga after sealing promotion last season. The team will have an uphill task to stay in the Bundesliga as their players do not have any experience in the top-flight football. VFL Bochum Coach: Marcel Koller Bochum snatched first place in the German second division after beating Alemannia Aachen 2-0, just one year after they were relegated. It was the fifth successive time for Bochum to return to the Bundesliga a year after being relegated to the second division. They will count on their stars Dariusz Wosz, Benjamin Auer and Edu f
