Dortmund Set Sights On 'Sweet' Bundesliga Revenge After Bitter Title Collapse

Borussia Dortmund start their Bundesliga campaign at home to Cologne on Saturday, hoping to take the first step in putting the bitter disappointment of last season behind them. Needing a win for their first title in over a decade in the season's final game, Dortmund drew 2-2 at home against mid-table Mainz. The draw allowed Bayern Munich, who won 2-1 in Cologne thanks to a last-minute Jamal Musiala goal, to sneak past and win the title on goal difference, their 11th consecutive league victory.

For Dortmund to go one better this season, they need to not only overcome their final day demons but also the loss again of their best player in the summer.

Jude Bellingham moved to Real Madrid in June, with Dortmund having lost Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho in previous off-seasons.

Title favourites Bayern have however strengthened, breaking the 100 million euro ($109 million) mark for the first time to bring in England captain Harry Kane, plugging the Robert Lewandowski-shaped hole in their forward line in the process.

"Although we were close" manager Edin Terzic said on Thursday "we're not done yet."

"On Saturday, we want to pick up where we left off."

Hit by injury early last season, Dortmund lost only one of their final 19 league matches to close a nine-point gap with Bayern.

Terzic said the side, who added midfielders Marcel Sabitzer, Felix Nmecha and wing-back Ramy Bensebaini, had strengthened enough for a title fight.

"I'm very happy with the quality of the team and the quality of the newcomers.

"We're sure we're in a very good position to achieve our goals" Terzic said, explaining the team needs to keep up the "hard work".

"(Then) it might taste really sweet in the end and then we can finally bring the shield to