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After years of having an iron grip over the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich dominance seems to show shines of loosening the grip after the Bavarians had to fight it out with Borussia Dortmund till the last game week to secure their record 29th Bundesliga title.
The six-time defending Champions were stranded at seventh in the table at one stage before going on an impressive winning streak and finally overturning the odds with a 5-0 thrashing of Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena. The season was an enthralling one in Germany with the race for the title and for the top four both going to the last day. This meant a lot of players across the division put in some incredible performances through the course of the nine months.
Here is the list of the 5 best defenders in the Bundesliga this season.
#5 Dayot Upamecano - RB Leipzig
One of the best central defenders in the league before injury ruled him out for the season, Dayot Upamecano stock is rising with each season. The 20-year along with Ibrahima Konate and Willi Orban formed the meanest defence in the Bundesliga this season.
Dayot Upamecano made 15 (14 starts) appearances in the league and has averaged 1.5 tackles, 2.2 interceptions, 0.3 blocks and 2.9 clearances per match. He is certainly one of the most exciting prospects coming out of the league.
#4 Niklas Sule - Bayern Munich
The German international is someone who has managed to firmly oust the World Cup winner Jerome Boateng from the Bayern Munich starting XI. The 23-year old has been so good that he is now become the first choice centre back of both Bayern Munich and German national team.
Niklas Sule made 31 (29 starts) appearances in the Bundesliga this season and has averaged 0.9 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 2.6 clearances and 0.4 blocks per match.
The 23-year old has also chipped in with two goals for the Bavarian giants.
#3 Willi Orban - RB Leipzig
The captain of the meanest defensive side in the league, Willi Orban had one of the best seasons of his career. The Hungarian centre back has was a crucial factor in Leipzig keeping 16 clean sheets over the course of the season.
The 26-year old also averaged two tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 0.6 blocks and 5.7 clearances per match.
The RB Leipzig captain has also scored four goals for his side this season in the league.
#2 Manuel Akanji - Borussia Dortmund
The man behind Borussia Dortmund incredible first half of the season, Manuel Akanji. The 23-year old was at the heart of the Dortmund defense when they conceded a miser 18 goals in their opening 17 matches.
The Swiss international has made 25 appearances in the Bundesliga. The 23-year old has a per match averaged 1.2 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 3.5 tackles and 0.5 blocks in the recently concluded campaign.
#1 Ibrahima Konate - RB Leipzig
Part of one half of the best central defensive partnership in the league, Ibrahima Konate has been a key figure for Leipzig and one who commands the backline. The defender is one of the best up and coming young players in the world at the moment and formed an extremely young central defensive partnerships in the league with fellow Frenchman Dayot Upamecano.
The 20-year old French defender has 28 appearances in the league and has averaged 1.6 tackles, 2.1 interceptions, 0.6 blocks and 4.3 clearances per match.
