Bayern München still set the standard, but the challengers have enough evidence to keep this Bundesliga title race alive. Borussia Dortmund finished second with 73 points and conceded just 34 league goals, the lowest total in the division. RB Leipzig also came back strongly, and [VfB Stuttgart] showed they are no strangers to big moments.
Dortmund's defensive case
Dortmund's case starts with control at the back. They lost just 2 of their first 28 Bundesliga fixtures, and both defeats came against Bayern. That run did not turn them into champions, but it did show a side that could stay in the fight for long stretches rather than fade early.
The 73-point finish is Dortmund's highest league total since 2018/19, which is a better sign than a short hot streak. The 34 goals conceded matter even more. It is the Bundesliga's best defensive record, and it gives Dortmund a credible base if they are to turn pressure into a proper title challenge again.
Leipzig and Stuttgart are not just background noise
Leipzig's season was strong in its own right. They recovered from an opening-day 6-0 defeat to Bayern and still won 20 Bundesliga matches, a total that matched their best league winning return. That is the kind of response that keeps them in the conversation even if Dortmund's defensive numbers look stronger.
Stuttgart bring a different case. They reached a second successive DFB Cup final, and Deniz Undav scored 19 Bundesliga goals. Those are the markers of a side that can carry real threat, even if the league picture still runs through Bayern and Dortmund first.
The overall read is fairly clear. Bayern remain the team everyone is chasing, but Dortmund have the best blend of points, structure and resistance, while Leipzig and Stuttgart have shown enough to prevent this from looking like a procession.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
