Despite an injury-ravaged 2013/14 campaign for Borussia Dortmund, they actually finished closer to Bayern Munich in the final Bundesliga standings than the season before. Yes, they were still a massive 19 points behind the runaway champions, but it was a slight improvement from the 25-point gap in 2012/13. That margain should be cut even more by the time the 2014/15 season draws to its conclusion. The majority, including myself, are once again expecting Bayern to triumph in Bundesliga glory, yet with a new found depth amongst Jurgen Klopp's arsenal, Bayern may well feel Die Schwarzgelben's breath on their shoulders.

Take a look at Dortmund's centre-back options for example: Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, Sokratis and Matthias Ginter; can you think of any team who has a better centre-back quartet than Dortmund's? You'll find it difficult to so. Subotic's long-term knee injury, picked up during the early November defeat at Wolfsburg, left Hummels and Sokratis to take the onus of staying in form and also staying fit. If one or both was injured/suspended, either the experienced, but ageing Manuel Friedrich or youngster Marian Sarr had to fill the void, which hampered Dortmund defensively. But now with the arrival of World Cup winner Ginter from Freiburg, one of the best young defenders around, Klopp's infamous smile will grow even wider with the thought of having to choose between his four outstanding centre-backs.

Also look at BVB's central midfield. When (and if) all are fit and available at the same time, Klopp has six options to choose from. The likely combination at the start of the season will be Sven Bender, another player who spent a good part of last season in the treatment room, and Nuri Sahin, who has re-joined the club after spending last season on loan from Real Madrid. Ilkay Gundogan will be like a new signing, having played the Supercup and the campaign opener at Augsburg, before not being seen again for the rest of the campaign. Milos Jojic scored with his first touch in Bundesliga football, whilst Sebastian Kehl, in what will likely be his final campaign, and Oliver Kirch provide plenty of experience, as Dortmund again have four trophies to challenge for.

Just like last season, Dortmund have three out-and-out strikers at their disposal. In all fairness though, they did really only have one last campaign, and that one, of course Robert Lewandowski, has gone to Bayern. Bench-warmer Julian Schieber has gone to Hertha, whilst youngster Marvin Ducksch will get some much-needed regular playing time at newly-promoted (and Bundesliga debutants) Paderborn. The competition for that striker's position will be much more competitive (although Klopp has tested with two strikers in pre-season). Ciro Immobile is likely to be Klopp's number one forward, having been Serie A's top scorer last campaign. Adrian Ramos knows how to score in Germany, and Ji-Dong Won will only get better at a bigger club.

So all this without even mentioning Reus, Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan, the returning Blaszczykowski, Hofmann, Piszczek, Grosskreutz, Durm, Schmelzer, Weidenfeller and Langerak. What can be concluded however is that Klopp, even without the superstar striker Lewandowski anymore, arguably has a better squad than last season. He has two players (and in some cases three) for each position, meaning if the injury Gods don't plague the Black and Yellows, Klopp will have plenty of selection headaches. It may well be a third consecutive Bundesliga title for Bayern Munich, yet what can be said is that Borussia Dortmund will once again be on their coattails; but a lot closer this time around.