Overview

• Schalke 04 hosts Hertha BSC at the Veltins-Arena in the division’s marquee opener, with coach Miron Muslic seeking a season-starting win under new sporting director Frank Baumann.
• Karlsruher SC will not set an overall finish target, opting instead to concentrate on winning one match at a time and to reinvest transfer revenues back into the squad.
• Promoted Arminia Bielefeld is building its survival bid around peak fitness, fighting spirit and summer signing Marvin Mehlem to reinforce its attacking options.
• 1. FC Kaiserslautern coach Torsten Lieberknecht faces a competitive striker selection ahead of his side’s opener, with Mahir Emreli currently leading the race for a starting spot.
• Division-wide stability measures include Dynamo Dresden extending Thomas Stamm’s contract and retaining Stefan Kutschke as captain, alongside Miroslav Klose’s cautious approach at 1. FC Nürnberg.