Frankfurt am Main (dpa) – dominant Bayern, furious Frankfurter and even an impeccable record in the long and cursed Europa League: at the end of an exceptional European Cup year, including the title victory, German football can already look forward to the next one spring and other highlights.
Before the first half of the championship, almost all the local representatives were convincing. “Seven German participants are wintering in a European competition, four of them are in the round of 16 of the Champions League. Furthermore, we are experiencing excitement, surprises and many goals in the Bundesliga: the current season is an excellent business card for German professional football, both nationally and internationally, “said Donata Hopfen, managing director of the German Football League (DFL ) of the German news agency.
A pack of four with FC Bayern, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in the premier class, plus three Europa League representatives at Bayer Leverkusen, SC Freiburg and Union Berlin: these seven trump cards promise to be successful even after the World Cup winter in Qatar (from 20 November to 18 December) exciting football matches with representatives of the Bundesliga.
Almost perfect week
“Of course it’s fine. We can all be a little proud of this. We have set the example in Europe. It’s nice to see so many German clubs making progress in Europe, ”said Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic in an almost perfect German week, in which only 1. FC Köln failed to qualify in the Conference League. “I said before that you just have to compliment the Bundesliga, not only nationally but also internationally, for the kind of work the boys do, not only at Union Berlin and Freiburg, but also in Frankfurt,” added Salihamidzic.
The Bavarians, who despite the two well-known opponents Inter Milan and FC Barcelona once again obtained the maximum haul of 18 points in the group stage, are once again at the top and among the great favorites of the premier class. “Last year we also played a very good group stage and a not so good knockout stage,” said coach Julian Nagelsmann ahead of Monday’s draw (12:00), which could bring Monaco opponents like Liverpool or Paris Saint-Germain.
This time around, however, the focus will not be on Bayern alone. BVB, Leipzig and Eintracht are second in the group, but they all seem ready for a surprise in the round of 16. “If you see what all the teams are doing on the international stage, it is an exceptional result for all of us in German football. If you look at Spain, only Real Madrid are further ahead in the Champions League,” said the coach of the club. Hertha Sandro Schwarz.
Weak Spain
FC Barcelona, who were only sent off in April by the eventual winner of Frankfurt in Europe’s second highest club competition, and FC Sevilla must go to the Europa League, the former Atlético Madrid finalist it is even completely eliminated. All three of the Spanish teams finished behind German clubs in their groups. Two years ago, the Bundesliga had four Champions League round of 16, but this time there are three instead of two in the Europa League.
The competition, long cursed for German teams, now appears to be working after Frankfurt’s triumph in May. In addition to relegation to the Champions League, Leverkusen Freiburg dominated the group with confidence. The Union secured progress on the last day under great pressure. Juventus Turin or Barça could be guests of Alte Försterei in the spring. “Names are just music to our ears. We are happy no matter who or what it is, ”said Sven Michel. Favorites, high-level flyers and brave outsiders: the seven German representatives cover different facets.
Copyright 2022, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
