I would favor Bayern over any team though. They actually got better.

Thiago's departure is both blow and blessing. Thiago was an artist, but it was tough choosing who should play the 6 between Kimmich and Thiago, especially because it usually meant Kimmich, who is more versatile, ended up at right back. Kimmich was great at right back, but Pavard is even better there and so now we can play Kimmich in his natural position and bring back Pavard where he is exceptional.

The biggest addition is obviously Sane. He adds blistering pace with incredible skill and control. Put him alongside Davies? Put him across from Gnabry or Coman? Put him next to Lewandowski? It is ridiculous. Bayern have never been so fully loaded on offense.

Also, the defenders are getting healthy and tough. I love Sule, Pavard, Davies, and Hernandez. Boateng is fading and can't keep up against elite players, but he holds his own against everyone but the very best. Alaba is fantastic, but I won't be too heart broken if he goes. He makes some dumb mistakes at times (bad pass to give up a goal in UCL, own goal against Barca). Bayern have Dest potentially coming in at right back and both Pavard and Hernandez can play in the middle so with Dest and Davies on the outside and Pavard, Sule in the middle, you can put Hernandez anywhere. You can put Pavard most anywhere. Great defensive skill and versaitility. It is pretty awesome when 3 of your defenders can play any position on the back line at elite level.

Neuer is back to form as an elite keeper. Arguably he was the best or 2nd best in the world last year.

We're a better team than we were last year. Crazy as that sounds. Goretzka was the player I would have said was the biggest weakness, but he looked phenomenal in UCL games and this game. He is winning me over.