Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer: "Borussia Dortmund are strong, but we're greedy for more titles!"
Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer believes Borussia Dortmund pose the biggest threat to the defending champions' hopes of landing an eighth successive Bundesliga title in 2019/20.
Bayern were pushed all the way last season, claiming their 28th Bundesliga title on the final day by a slender two-point swing over closest pursuers Dortmund.
The 2018/19 runners-up have been the busier of the two in the summer transfer window, though, bringing in the likes of Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Nico Schulz (Hoffenheim), whilst snaring Mats Hummels from Bayern in a bid to end the Bavarian behmoth's reign.
And while BVB's heavyweight new recruits have not gone unnoticed by Neuer, the Bayern goalkeeper believes his side have the mentality to see off the threat.
"Dortmund have made a number of transfers and, pound for pound, have the bigger squad," the 33-year-old admitted.
"We've heard how much they want to win the Bundesliga - but we'll still here. We've got hungry and greedy players!"
Neuer is one of them. Since joining Bayern from Schalke in summer 2011, the Germany No.1 has ended all but one of the last eight Bundesliga campaigns with a league winner's medal around his neck, as well as lifting three DFB Cups and the UEFA Champions League
As ever, extending Bayern's unprecedented league run is his top priority in the season ahead.
"We're living a record," Neuer said.
"We've won seven Bundesliga titles in a row, and we want to keep that run going for as long as possible!"
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To that end, Bayern have bolstered their defensive ranks with the double signing of French FIFA World Cup winners Lucas Hernandez (Atletico Madrid) and Benjamin Pavard (VfB Stuttgart).
Croatia international forward Ivan Perisic has also arrived on a season-long loan from Inter Milan, while teenaged striker Fiete Arp (Hamburg) has come in to provide back-up for ever-present goal machine, Robert Lewandowski, and has already warmed himself to his new skipper.
"He's really on the ball and is keen to show he has what it takes to succeed here," Neuer said of the former Hamburg forward.
"We have a different pace in training to what he'll have been used to at Hamburg, but he wants to get stuck in and take his chances. He's very eager to learn."
Neuer's new-look Bayern lost the season-opening Supercup 2-0 to Dortmund, but began their DFB Cup defence with a comfortable 3-1 victory over 3. Liga side Energie Cottbus.
The record champions take on Hertha Berlin in the opening fixture of the 2019/20 Bundesliga season on 16 August. Dortmund host Augsburg the next day.
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