Borussia Mönchengladbach – That’s why you can’t land behind Cologne

In the past 20 years, FC has only ended a season before Borussia four times: 2009 (12th and 15th), 2011 (10th and 16th), 2017 (5th and 9th) and the last one Season (7th and 10th) when Cologne scored their best result since 1992 with 52 points. Back then, under Jörg Berger, the club managed to finish two Bundesliga seasons in a row ahead of Gladbach for the last time. In the era when FC under Christoph Daum even finished runners-up twice and Borussia ended the otherwise good 80s as a relegation candidate, it was even five seasons in a row.

Around the turn of the millennium, the constellation was a special one: Cologne was a step ahead of Gladbach – in terms of the first relegation from the Bundesliga and the return after two years in the lower house. In 2000, FC was the first to get promoted again, while Borussia, in fifth place, missed out on being promoted immediately after a great comeback under Hans Meyer. The following year it went up as second, Cologne held the class in tenth under Ewald Lienen.

Now the rivals are separated by two points in the table and several emotional leagues – although the impending transfer ban for the summer would have to depress FC as much as Borussia did with their unstable season again, which could mean a further step backwards compared to last year under Adi Hütter. Daniel Farke’s predecessor lost both derbies, citing them as one reason for his failure. Away from the duels with FC, Borussia only scored one point less than their rivals. If you factor out the derbies (5:2 and 0:0), Farke even lags behind his opponent Steffen Baumgart by five points.

Cologne’s coach has just extended his contract until 2025, and not many in the Bundesliga have to worry less about their job than Baumgart. Whether he will compete with a Farke team in the derby again next season is an open question. Indirectly, it also depends on whether Borussia overtakes FC and finishes tenth – because then Farke would not only have scored points in the final sprint, but also arguments for continued employment.

In 2010, Gladbach overtook Cologne with a draw against Leverkusen on the last day of the game, and the partial success added the icing on the cake to an unusually carefree season under Michael Frontzeck. At that time, the native of Gladbach prevented the shame, especially for the fans, of landing behind Cologne twice in a row. It is important for Farke and his Borussia to prevent this not only for emotional reasons – it would also keep the option open to curb the television money minus, currently around five million euros compared to this season, by almost two million. Borussia should land a maximum of one place behind Frankfurt. The self-proclaimed carnival clubs Mainz and Cologne are currently in between.