The first of Europe’s ‘Big Five’ leagues to return from its coronavirus-enforced hiatus, the Bundesliga will also be the first to finish this weekend.
While Bayern Munich have already wrapped up their eighth consecutive title, there should still be more than enough drama over the last round of fixtures.
There is much to be decided in the tussle for European football and the relegation battle. A Champions League spot and a relegation play-off place are both on the table.
When the Bundesliga returns next season it could be without several familiar faces, with a handful of exciting young talents expected to leave Germany this summer.
As such, it’s worth savouring the final weekend like the last bite of an especially saucy currywurst. Here are the main points of intrigue as the fußball draws to a close.
Werder Bremen need a miracle
Since the foundation of the Bundesliga, Werder Bremen have spent just one season outside of the top flight.
Their last relegation was 40 years ago. That is likely to change this weekend.
Bremen go into their final game two points behind Dusseldorf in 16th and with an inferior goal difference. Dusseldorf currently occupy the relegation play-off spot which, at this stage, is Bremen’s only hope of redemption.
Bremen host FC Koln while Dusseldorf must travel to Union Berlin, both winnable games.
While it might seem like Bremen have cause for optimism, home advantage has gone haywire since the Bundesliga restart and, regardless, Bremen have not won a league match at the Weserstadion since the start of September.
While Bremen still have a route to safety, they have produced a string of defensive calamities this term and are horribly vulnerable at set pieces.
Speaking after their loss to Mainz last Saturday, sporting director Frank Baumann said: “The disappointment will last for a few more days, but we have to pick ourselves up and we definitely won’t give up.
“We will go into the last game with everything we have to pull off a miracle.”
Final European spots up for grabs
At the other end of the table, there are European spots to play for.
Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen are fourth and fifth respectively, with Gladbach two points ahead. Champions League qualification could still go either way.
Gladbach host Hertha Berlin and Bayer welcome Mainz to the BayArena, though Marco Rose’s side have a far superior goal difference and, as such, a draw against Hertha would almost certainly be enough. Gladbach shared the points with Hertha earlier in the season, while Bayer beat Mainz with a last-gasp goal from Lucas Alario.
As for the Europa League, the teams which finish fifth and sixth usually qualify for the competition. The team which wins the DFB-Pokal also qualifies, however, and with Bayer set to face champions Bayern Munich in the final and both sides effectively qualified for Europe already, the team which ends up seventh in the league will get a shot at European football.
While Bayer have an 11-point cushion between them and the teams below them, Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim are tied on 49 points in sixth and seventh. Whoever finishes sixth will avoid having to slog through the Europa League qualifiers next season, which is no small mercy.
Bundesliga swansong for future superstars?
The scramble for Champions League football could have a significant bearing on several players’ futures, not least Kai Havertz.
Heavily linked with Chelsea and Real Madrid among others, Havertz is one of the most sought-after young players in the Bundesliga. “Personally, I always want to play in the Champions League,” he told Sky Germany in May.
“That has been my goal since my first year here and, in general, that’s a goal for every Bundesliga player.”
With Timo Werner already heading to Chelsea and Jadon Sancho also tipped for a move, this weekend could feasibly be the last time they grace the Bundesliga.
If there’s anything that Bundesliga clubs have shown over the last few years, however, it’s that the next generation of future superstars is only ever a season away.
More on the Bundesliga
- Jadon Sancho interview: ‘This has been a crazy year – I never would have dreamt it’
- The wonderkid factory: How Dortmund became the world’s best finishing school for young footballers
- The rise of Gio Reyna: ‘Fearless’ Sunderland-born wonderkid destined for big things at Dortmund
- ‘You cannot hide’: Bibiana Steinhaus on refereeing, sexist footballers and learning to be herself
- Rabbi Matondo interview: ‘I could never say anything bad about Man City – but I’m so grateful to be at Schalke’
- Exclusive: David Wagner on Huddersfield, Klopp and a new test at Schalke
- ‘I didn’t come here just to play football’: Everton loanee Kenny on Schalke, Wagner and his Goodison struggles
- ‘One of the most surreal days’: Uwe Rosler talks about how coronavirus stopped the Bundesliga in its tracks
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/31dIUWS
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