Expectations on Bayern Munich at the beginning of the 2013/14 season were great, considering the Bavarian giants had won a European treble just a few months previously and were now under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola; the man who took Barcelona to the top of the world only a few years before.
It seemed like a match made in heaven, as Guardiola's footballing philosophy matched that of his predecessor Jupp Heynckes - Bayern Munich had won the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and UEFA Champions League in season 2012/13 by playing similar costless flowing football that took Barcelona to unrivalled heights.
Indeed, the Spaniard succeeded in defending two of the three titles Bayern had won in the 2012/13 campaign, only the retention of the Champions League trophy eluded Guardiola in his first year at the helm of Bayern.
The only real hiccup for Der Stern Das Südens last season was, arguably, their Champions League exit, a humiliating 5-0 aggregate defeat in the Semi-Finals at the hands of eventual winners Real Madrid, losing 5-0 on aggregate.
Many dubbed Bayern's embarrassment as "the death of Tiki Taka". One of the side's greatest critics last season was German legend and former Bayern captain Franz Beckenbauer.
"Bayern played as expected - with a lot of possession but with no bite," said Beckenbauer following the first leg of the Madrid tie, "we can't win with possession if the opposition creates chances".
"In the end, it'll be like Barcelona - unwatchable. They will pass the ball back, even on the goal line".
The core nucleus of the Bayern squad hasn't changed during the summer - of course, there is no need for alterations, if it isn't broken, then don't fix it - so Guardiola's heavily criticised style of play is more than likely going to remain next term.
So far in the transfer window, Bayern have made four acquisitions. The first was former Borussia Dortmund hit-man Robert Lewandowski, who signed a pre-contract at the Allianz Arena in January.
Bayern had been in hot pursuit of the 25 year old since the summer of 2012, but Borussia Dortmund refused to sell the want-away striker, whose contract only ran until June of this year, prompting the Bavarian club to offer Lewandowski a pre-contract.
The Polish striker, formerly of Lech Poznan, scored 20 goals in the Bundesliga last season, winning the award for the league's top scorer. His signing heralds continued Bundesliga dominance at the Allianz Arena, as Lewandowski is a player who is familiar with the league and he is of course a proven goalscorer.
Juan Bernat has been drafted in from Valencia for an undisclosed fee. The 21 year old has put pen to paper on a five year contract and should provide some competition for regular left-back David Alaba.
Bayern's Sporting Director, Matthias Sammer said: "Juan Bernat is extraordinary young player, who we've been following for a while.
"He's quick, strong in the tackle and has an extremely good eye for goal.
"We are sure that, by signing Juan Bernat, we will have made a very good investment for the summer. He's very welcome at Bayern Munich".
Bayern's most recent signing is of former Liverpool, Napoli and Villarreal goalkeeper Pepe Reina. The 31 year old spent last season on loan in Italy after the Anfield club signed Simon Mignolet.
Reina, who cost Bayern £2m, will struggle to get his hands on the number one jersey from Golden Glove winner, Manuel Neuer, and will probably spend most of next season spectating in the dugout.
The fourth addition Pep Guardiola has made to his squad made this summer is Sebastian Rode, who also signed on a pre-contract, from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 23 year old spent the latter part of last season injured and only made 17 appearances for Die Adler, creating 18 chances and achieving a pass completion percentage of 84% (stats via Squawka).
Rode enhances the depth of a Bayern central midfield which already boasts the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez and basically works as a replacement to Toni Kroos, who departed for Real Madrid this summer for a fee of £24m.
Another player who has left Bayern Munich seeking pastures new this summer is striker Mario Mandzukic, who signed for La Liga champions Atlético Madrid for around £16m.
The Croatian had been discontent ever since the announcement of Robert Lewandowski's signing in January of this year. Mandzukic probably won't be sorely missed by Bayern, as Lewandowski promises to bring plenty of goals as a lone striker in the club's prefered 4-2-3-1 formation.
Borussia Dortmund will once again be the biggest obstacle keeping Bayern from another league trophy this year. Die Borussen have brought in strikers Adrian Ramos from Hertha BSC and Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile who signed from Torino.
Both of these signings will bolster the attack considerably and add some much needed firepower following the departure of Robert Lewandowski but Jürgen Klopp's side probably won't go the distance in the race for the title, providing Bayern show the same consistency they have the past two years.