Football Season Guide

FC Ingolstadt will be hoping that their debut appearance in the top flight of German football will be a memorable one for both the team and the fans. Ingolstadt secured promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history after clinching the 2. Bundesliga title last season and while they kick off their campaign as favorites to go straight down, coach Ralph Hasenhuttl is refusing to give up the dream without a fight and is already planning for an extended stay in the division. Ingolstadt were impressive last season and managed to comfortably secure promotion to the Bundesliga despite a brief dip in form towards the end. Ingolstadt's promotion push was based on their solid work ethic and an organized defensive unit and Hasenhuttl will be banking on the same principles as he looks to help his side survive the division for another season. However it cannot be denied that Ingolstadt are favorites for the drop along with fellow promoted side Darmstadt and will need further improvements to the squad before the transfer window shuts down. Hasenhuttl has made quality additions to the squad though with Elias Kachunga signed from Paderborn after impressing in the Bundesliga last season. Romain Bregerie had an excellent campaign with Darmstadt and the defender arrives on a free transfer and is expected to replace Andre Mijatovic with the defender having retired at the end of last campaign. Orjan Nyland and Markus Suttner will improve what was a stingy defense last season but it is in the midfield and attack that Ingolstadt look light. Robert Bauer and Max Christiansen lack experience and quality to provide sufficient backup for the midfield at this level. They also need a striker to back Kachunga up with Lukas Hinterseer managing to score just seven goals last campaign and it remains to be seen whether he has the quality when coming up against superior defenses this season.