Bundesliga relegation battle: six clubs are still shaking
Union’s Robin Gosens (r) was also in a better mood: against Gladbach it was only enough for a 0-0 draw. photo
© Federico Gambarini/dpa
Three match days before the end of the season, Darmstadt 98 has been confirmed as the first relegated Bundesliga team. But who has to accompany the Hessians into the 2nd league and who has to go into relegation?
After promoted team Darmstadt 98’s early relegation from the Bundesliga, six other clubs are still trembling about falling into the second division.
In particular, the penultimate 1. FC Köln in the table has to worry about staying in the league. But FSV Mainz 05, VfL Bochum, 1. FC Union Berlin, Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfL Wolfsburg have not yet reached safety three match days before the end of the season. The situation in the bottom of the table is likely to remain exciting until the last minute.
VfL Wolfsburg (12th place/34 points)
Lower Saxony can no longer be relegated directly, but there is still a risk of relegation. The Wolfsburg team can save themselves from this on the next matchday with a home win against Darmstadt on their own. Other opponents are Bayern Munich (A) and FSV Mainz 05 (H). “We now have the decisive game against Darmstadt and want to see it through,” said VfL coach Ralph Hasenhüttl.
Borussia Mönchengladbach (13./32)
The Fohlen team is also unlikely to be eligible for direct entry into league two, as they are nine points ahead of Cologne and have a goal difference that is 23 goals better. However, the cushion for the relegation place is only four points – and the remaining program against Werder Bremen (A), Eintracht Frankfurt (H) and VfB Stuttgart (A) is tough. “The situation is acute, we have to deal with it,” said Borussia coach Gerardo Seoane.
1. FC Union Berlin (14./30)
This also applies to the “Ironers” from the capital. This year’s Champions League participant can secure their stay in the Bundesliga with wins against their direct competitors VfL Bochum (H) and 1. FC Köln (A), but they can also gamble away everything if they lose. The last opponent of the Berliners, who are particularly weak on the offensive, is SC Freiburg (H). Union coach Nenad Bjelica believes in a happy ending: “I am fully convinced that we will score the necessary goals in the last three games.”
VfL Bochum (15/30)
The 3-2 win against Hoffenheim strengthened VfL’s hopes of salvation. However, interim coach Heiko Butscher’s team has difficult remaining tasks at 1. FC Union Berlin, against champions Bayer Leverkusen, who are still unbeaten this season, and at Werder Bremen. “We have to continue to throw everything into it with passion,” demanded Butscher.
FSV Mainz 05 (16./28)
The late draw against Cologne hurt, as Mainz would have jumped to 14th place if they had won. So the Rheinhessen remain in the role of hunters before the guest appearance against the promoted team 1. FC Heidenheim, which was saved early. After that comes Champions League semi-finalists Borussia Dortmund before they go to Wolfsburg in the season finale. “We know how difficult it will be,” said midfielder Nadiem Amiri and announced the motto for the final spurt: “In the end, all that matters is that we stay in the league. The rest doesn’t matter.”
1. FC Cologne (17./23)
The Domstadt team can no longer avert the seventh Bundesliga relegation in the club’s history on their own. Therefore, the principle of hope reigns in the Rhinelanders before the last three games against SC Freiburg (H), 1. FC Union Berlin (H) and 1. FC Heidenheim (A). “Everything is still possible. We believe in ourselves and that we can still do it. That is one hundred percent the motto,” said FC coach Timo Schultz, regardless of the precarious situation.
dpa
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