Hansa Rostock

Hansa Rostock have spent more years in the first division than any other eastern German club so they should be on familiar ground. But a power struggle between Hansa's former manager and their current coach disrupted the club's off-season preparations, and Rostock failed to land any top-tier signings.

The heart and soul of the club is midfielder Stefan Beinlich. He's a canny veteran, who can draw on 279 first-division matches' worth of experience and who reached the Champions League with Hertha Berlin.

But Beinlich is also 35 years old and prone to injury, raising the question of whether Hansa have done enough to stay up this year.

"All we're interested in is surviving," Hansa President Dirk Grabow has said.

Though it may sound pessimistic, it's a realistic assessment of Rostock's situation.

Coach: Frank Pagelsdorf

Acquisitions: Benjamin Lense (Bochum), Heath Pearce (Nordsjaelland), Stefan Wächter (Hamburg), Ryan Gyaki (Sheffield United), Simon Tüting (Osnabrück), Fin Bartels (Holstein Kiel), Addy-Waku Menga (Osnabrück), Orestes Junior Alves (Naval 1° de Maio)

Departures: Gledson (Stuttgart), Mathias Schober (Schalke 04), Kim Madsen, Kevin Hansen, Anton Müller, Dirk Jonelat, Martin Pohl, Michael Hartmann, Maik Wagefeld