Big-spending Munich challenge champions Stuttgart

France winger Franck Ribery was signed from Olympique Marseille for a Bundesliga record 25 million euros (34.4 million dollars) as Munich splashed out more than 70 million euros after finishing fourth last season.

 According to Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, this trend must be followed by other clubs as well if Germany wants to play a role in international competitions.

 "The Bundesliga must rethink in a major way. We need more players like Ribery and (Luca) Toni if we want to be more competitive on the international stage," said Rummenigge.

 Munich's star-studded outfit features Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who came for 15 million euros from Werder Bremen. Other big signings are Italy forward Toni (11 million), Germany left back Marcell Jansen (11), Jose Ernesto Sosa (9) and Brazilian Ze Roberto, who returns on a free transfer to Munich.

 Led by Munich, the 18 Bundesliga clubs spent a record sum of a round 170 million euros for new personnel.

 Werder Bremen spent 7.8 million euros on Brazilian defender Carlos Alberto and the champions Stuttgart 7 million for Romanian forward Ciprian Marica.

 Munich's fourth place finish means Germany's top club is out of the Champions League for the first time in a decade.

 But the Bavarians will be on the all-out attack again this time around with the reshaped team, and are the top title favourite.

 "Bayern are the big favourites. But it will still be an interesting and dramatic season," said German national team coach Joachim Loew.

 Toni, who has missed most of the pre-season due to injury, knows all about Bayern's ambitions.

 "We have a strong team. It would be great if we could win everything, but our main aim is the Bundesliga title."

   Ribery has been hailed as the new superstar in the team of coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, but remains modest.

 "I don't want to be the big superstar. I want to work in a serious way, do my job and have fun," the Frenchman said.

 Munich gave a first indication of their strength when they beat all their main rivals Stuttgart, Schalke and Bremen for the pre-season league cup title.

 Bremen are seen as the main challengers despite the departure of Klose, while some question marks remain around Stuttgart and Schalke - who open the season on Friday night with a meeting in Stuttgart.

 Stuttgart won when it mattered on the home stretch last season to steal the title from Schalke with a young team featuring the likes of Mario Gomez, but are aware that a similar achievement is somewhat unlikely this time around.

 "We don't want to be big-mouthing and say that we aim to defend our title. We will enter the season with modesty," said Veh.

 Marica, 21, was Stuttgart's most costly new signing, while Turkey playmaker Yildiray Basturk came on a free transfer from Hertha Berlin.

 Schalke let their playmaker Lincoln go to Galatasaray Istanbul, but that doesn't mean the western Germans won't be aiming for the title they last won in 1958.

 "We played well without Lincoln last season," insisted coach Mirko Slomka. "Munich are the top favourite. But we want to fight for the title until the end."

   That is not expected from the promoted teams of MSV Duisburg, Hansa Rostock and SC Karlsruhe, who will simply be hoping to survive in the top flight.

 Hertha Berlin start the campaign with a fully reshaped team, while SV Hamburg and Borussia Dortmund (who have sold 50,000 season tickets) hope for a better season than the last one where they fought relegation until almost the end.

DPA