Bayern to Open Bundesliga Defense against Gladbach

Bayern Munich will open its Bundesliga title defense at home against Borussia Moenchengladbach on August 9, when new coach Pep Guardiola makes his German league debut.

"It's a worthy lead into the season and for Guardiola," said former Bayern player Paul Breitner. "In 'Gladbach you have an opponent which belongs among the best of what the Bundesliga has had to offer over the last four decades."

Other highlights for the opening weekend of the 51st Bundesliga season include Borussia Dortmund at Augsburg, Schalke hosting Hamburger SV, and Freiburg visiting Bayer Leverkusen.

Hannover hosts Wolfsburg, Nuremberg visits Hoffenheim and Mainz plays Stuttgart.

Eintracht Braunschweig and Hertha Berlin celebrate their return to the top flight with home games against Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt, respectively.

The fixtures were announced on Friday. Only Bayern vs. 'Gladbach was scheduled, with the other games' kickoff times and playing days (Saturday or Sunday) to be determined next month.

Bayern visits Dortmund on the weekend of November 22-24, with the return game in Munich to take place April 11-13.

Up to 15 extra games will be moved to Sundays to allow sides playing in the Europa League on Thursdays an extra day of rest.