#3 Dominance in Germany has depleted
Too many times last season, Ancelotti's Bayern side showed an element of vulnerability and weakness. This was a characteristic rarely witnessed under Pep Guardiola during his time in Munich. Ancelotti's side regularly struggled to secure a victory against teams where Munich's midfield was pressed high and became physical.
Bayern showed an element of lacklustre performances over the course of the season; meanwhile, their usual ruthless urgency seemed a thing of the past on too many occasions.
The rise of Red Bull Leipzig and TSG Hoffenheim last season meant the title challenge was far more competitive than any other season over the past three years. Before that, Guardiola's side had dominated the German league, quickly shrugging off the challenge of Borussia Dortmund and any other side.
Also read: The great Milan diamond and why Carlo Ancelotti will bring it to Bayern Munich
Now, that may not seem a difficult task, but Dortmund was far more superior than any other side last season and the ease in which they were dispatched for three years under Guardiola is yet to be replicated.
