Berlin (dpa) – It is one of the most well-known phrases in the Bundesliga, according to which someone “must be there” “if Bayern are weak”. Preferably in winter.
In recent years, the “we” (who have to be there) came from Dortmund, sometimes from Leverkusen, sometimes from Leipzig. But then nobody was “there”, or the record champions simply played so dominantly that there was no hope of weakening at all. Five clubs could be “there” at the start of the second half of the season, now that the Munich team is at least weakening.
BVB aggressive
“We want to attack at the top, want to stay at the top,” said Borussia Dortmund’s Niklas Süle after the rather happy 2-1 win at FSV Mainz 05, which was secured late. With two wins within four days, BVB reduced the gap to Munich to manageable again five points – and is still only fifth in the table. “You can see how tight the Bundesliga is that other teams also drop points,” said Süle.
After FC Bayern Munich’s two 1-1 games against RB Leipzig and 1. FC Köln, the sixth SC Freiburg still have their sights set on the leaders with a five-point deficit. “It is important to keep at it. It’s all relatively close together. We have developed a starting position that is not bad,” said Marco Rose, coach of third-placed Leipzig, on Thursday before the game on Friday evening (8.30 p.m. / DAZN) against VfB Stuttgart. “Of course I also look at the table because we have goals.” Every game is “a big challenge” – no matter against whom.
Vice-champion in the first half of the season, if there is this title, is 1. FC Union Berlin with three points less and the dramatically weak city rivals Hertha BSC as the next opponent in the derby on Saturday. “We are rightly in second place, that feels wonderful. But we also have to remain humble,” said captain Rani Khedira. The fact that coach Urs Fischer stated that he was “surprised” by both the 33 points and the placement speaks for Köpenicker’s humility.
Frankfurt only with a draw
The next challenger can be “there” on Saturday evening in the floodlit game Eintracht Frankfurt. The euphoric Europa League winner, fourth in the table and tied with Dortmund, could be even closer, but only managed a 1-1 draw in Freiburg. That was a top game – the Breisgauers themselves would have been level with the record champions if they won instead of losing 6-0 on Saturday at VfL Wolfsburg and if they scored one more goal on Wednesday. Coach Christian Streich would have said anyway that he was not interested in the constellation at all.
Of the five pursuers, two remain who would also dare to replace the subscription champions from Bavaria if they followed up several times. “We can continue to improve, we’re on the right track,” said Dortmund’s Julian Brandt. In order to be “there” if Bayern continue to weaken, BVB would have to remedy the weak defenses soon and urgently. Dortmund conceded three goals against FC Augsburg on Sunday.
The Bavarians themselves are aware of the situation. Joshua Kimmich secured the draw against Cologne late with an artistic shot. And soon the glittery distraction in the Champions League with the round of 16 games against Paris Saint-Germain will be added. “It’s high time we switched over,” said sports director Hasan Salihamidzic, “that we understand that it’s about the championship.” Otherwise there really is someone “there” at the end.
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