30th Bundesliga matchday
Berlin (dpa) – After a memorable European Cup week, this should be an exciting 30th matchday in the Bundesliga.
Bayern have to pull themselves together, Frankfurt and Leipzig can travel to their next difficult tasks in high spirits. The situation is also getting worse in the relegation zone. There is also a traditional derby.
Disappointment vs. title fever:
How are Bayern recovering from the crushing Champions League defeat against Villarreal? After the knockout in the premier class, criticism of the management team around Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic increased. In addition, the end continues to fuel personnel issues, such as those after the contracts of Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer. “The classic FC Bayern DNA is missing,” criticized German record international Lothar Matthäus. Will she return in the Bundesliga game at Arminia Bielefeld? Victory is a must in order to at least soften the critics a little and take the next big step towards the championship.
Europa League joy:
Eintracht Frankfurt with the 3-2 coup at FC Barcelona and RB Leipzig with the 2-0 win in Bergamo have polished the reputation of the Bundesliga again in the Europa League. After reaching the semi-finals of the second most important European Cup, Leipzig have their next big task ahead of them on Sunday. Then it goes to the duel of the Champions League aspirants to Bayer Leverkusen – which failed at Atalanta Bergamo. The Frankfurt team, currently ninth, want to get closer to the international starting places with a win at seventh-placed 1. FC Union Berlin.
Magath’s fateful month with the tumbling Hertha:
Can Felix Magath still make it? Does the 68-year-old save the heavily staggering Hertha from being knocked out in the Bundesliga? The Berlin “Tagesspiegel” already recalled comparable situations in the capital’s club, including the successful fight against relegation in 2004, when Hans Meyer saved the club from going into second division after replacing Huub Stevens. Meyer is now called Magath. Will he complete the mission? The games against fellow competitors begin against FC Augsburg, then it continues at home against VfB Stuttgart and at Arminia Bielefeld. After the disgrace in the derby against 1. FC Union including fan humiliation, Magath is more in demand than ever as a crisis manager.
Rhenish Derby:
111th competitive derby between Gladbach and Cologne – and the stadium is full. For the first time in almost five years, Borussia Park is sold out again in a game against Cologne. Still, the game between the old rivals remains a risky game with no-entry restrictions and a ban on glass bottles and containers. Borussia’s vice president appeals to the reason of the fans. One can celebrate that. “There’s no place for hatred and violence,” said Rainer Bonhof of the “Kölnische Rundschau”. In terms of sport, the Gladbachers are on a roll and are undefeated four games in a row with just one goal. FC has six points more as table eight and can still achieve an international starting place.
Fürth first relegation?
What has been indicated for months could be sealed after the coming matchday: SpVgg Greuther Fürth’s relegation to the Bundesliga. The Franconians need a win at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Sunday. Otherwise – depending on the results of the competition – relegation could no longer be avoided. The gap to relegation place 16 is already ten points, which seems uncatchable. But: “We won’t be relegated this weekend,” coach Stefan Leitl promised hopefully.