While Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen maintain their hopes in the race for the coveted Champions League places, Wolfsburg and Frankfurt, on the other hand, have to fear again for the premier class, which they believed to be safe. Who will make the big hit? Sky Sport does the big form check.
Four days after losing the Champions League against Manchester City, BVB has made an impressive return to the Bundesliga. The team of coach Edin Terzic convinced against Werder Bremen after a temporary deficit and won 4-1. With this success, Borussia is keeping its chance of a Champions League place, Terzic also said: “The win brings us three points closer to our goal. It was a good game for us.”
Nevertheless, he complained about the counterattack in the first half: “Unfortunately we caught one or the other.” The relegation-threatened Bremer could not capitalize on promising counter-chances, however, were then overrun by the offensive of the black and yellow.
For Dortmund it was a dominant and deserved success despite defensive wobbles – but the weeks of truth are still around the corner. What about the other Champions League aspirants next to BVB? Sky Sport makes the big check to the end of the season.
5th place: Borussia Dortmund, 49 points
The Borussia have continued their upswing against Bremen and have scored ten points in the last five games. In addition, superstar Erling Haaland ended the doldrums of 618 minutes without a goal after his double. To achieve the big goal, Borussia have to catch up four points to Frankfurter Eintracht or five points to Wolves – which will not be an easy task, especially with a view to the rest of the program.
BVB’s next tough home game against Union Berlin is already on Wednesday (from 7.30 p.m. live and exclusively on Sky Sport Bundesliga and in the Original Sky Conference), who as the surprise team of the season can also hope for the Europa League places. For Terzic, a win against the Köpenicker is still a must: “We want to show everyone that our path will continue like this.”
Then there are more difficult tasks against the direct competition from Wolfsburg (31st matchday) and Leverkusen (34th). In between, the team of coach Edin Terzic has to compete against the table runner-up from Leipzig, the up-and-coming Mainz team and in the DFB Cup semi-finals at Holstein Kiel.
BVB captain Marco Reus continues to count his team in the fight for the premier class all the chances. “We have shown a good reaction in the last few weeks and have been given a second chance. Everything is open, but we must not give up any more.”
Sky Forecast: Reus says it right – another slip is forbidden. A difficult hurdle in view of the difficult remaining program. However, Dortmund will avoid unnecessary point losses like against 1. FC Köln or in Freiburg and will win the direct duels. In the end, BVB fought their way into the top 4 and reached the Champions League for the sixth time in a row.
3rd place: VfL Wolfsburg, 54 points
After an interim series of nine unbeaten players, the Wolves had to admit defeat three times in the past six games. Most recently, even the rock-solid defense revealed weaknesses and conceded a total of seven goals in the defeats against Frankfurt and against Bayern at the weekend.
For the Wolfsburg coach, the reasons for the bankruptcies are obvious. “Our behavior on the defensive was simply too flawed,” said Oliver Glasner after the 3-2 defeat against Bayern and added: “On the offensive, there was also a lack of efficiency.”
Still, there is only one option for the 46-year-old: “We really want a place in the Champions League now.” To do this, the wolves have to start scoring again. In the end of the season there are difficult tasks at the strong promoted VfB Stuttgart, after which there is a direct duel against BVB. With Union, RB Leipzig and the relegation-threatened Mainz team, more chunks are waiting in the fight for the European elite class.
Sky Forecast: Attention Wolfsburg, it will be a close race! The wolves must now absolutely win at VfB Stuttgart and at least score against BVB. However, VfL will not succeed in that. Oliver Glasner’s team only scored seven points in the season’s final spurt and thus gambled away the secure entry into the Champions League.
4th place: Eintracht Frankfurt, 53 points
The dream of the first Champions League participation in the club’s history is alive – even if Eintracht had to take a bitter damper at the weekend in the 0: 4 bankruptcy against Borussia Mönchengladbach. “We have to tick that off quickly,” said coach Adi Hütter.
The Adler were previously unbeaten in five games, then lost the first game after the announcement of the upcoming change of their coach to Borussia Mönchengladbach. For captain Kevin Trapp, however, Hütter’s decision should not have a share in the drop in performance: “There is no connection. We are on the pitch as a team and have goals.”
After the slip-up and turbulent days, it is important for Eintracht to stabilize defensively and to crown their outstanding season. Compared to the competition, the Hessians supposedly have the easiest remaining program. After the home game against Augsburg, Adi Hütter’s team will face Bayer Leverkusen. This is followed by three opponents in Mainz, Schalke and Freiburg who are to be beaten as Champions League contenders.
Sky Forecast: After the unrest about the upcoming change of coach Hütter and the bankruptcy against Gladbach, the SGE stabilized and brought the lead over the finish line. The Eintracht get ten out of 15 possible points with a feasible remaining program and in the end even overtake VfL Wolfsburg. The dreams of all Frankfurt fans come true – the premier class is calling!
6th place: Bayer Leverkusen, 47 points
The Werkself have also reported back after their 3-0 derby win against 1. FC Köln in the race for the Champions League places. Interim coach Hannes Wolf seemed relieved after the success: “It’s an important win for us. We had to take a bite, but we got a tailwind for the game in Munich.”
Bayer can still have low hopes with a gap of six points on Eintracht Frankfurt, but should definitely win against Bayern. After the game against the record champions, it is time to step up against Frankfurt, Bremen and Union Berlin. Then there could be a showdown for the last Champions League place on matchday 34 against Borussia Dortmund.
Sky Forecast: Bayer will play on the European stage again at the end of the season, but it’s not enough for the big hit. The team of coach Hannes Wolf experienced a setback against FC Bayern on Tuesday and had to fight for sixth place in the remaining games with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bayer will achieve this goal.
Exciting final spurt guaranteed
After the failures of Frankfurter Eintracht and VfL Wolfsburg, we can look forward to an exciting final spurt for the coveted Champions League places. In addition to Bayern, RB Leipzig is the second participant, albeit not yet rehcnerisch.
But behind that, the field has moved closer together again. Two places are still available for four potential candidates. You will find out who will finish the race on matchday 34 live and exclusively on Sky Sport Bundesliga.
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