32nd matchday
Düsseldorf (dpa) – The Europa League successes of Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig ensure that the unloved Monday games have returned to the Bundesliga for a while.
Because the two clubs are heading for a German final in Europe after their successes in the semi-finals and traditionally not being played on May 1, there are now two games in the evening (8:30 p.m. / DAZN).
For Frankfurt, who are out of reach of the European Cup places in the league, the game at Bayer Leverkusen is probably more of an annoying stopover between the semi-final games against West Ham United. Leipzig, on the other hand, is still fully challenged in three competitions. SC Freiburg passed the Saxons 4:3 in Hoffenheim and conquered the last place in the Champions League. By the way, level on points with Leverkusen, which is therefore also under pressure. The Werkself want to avoid a final against Freiburg at all costs.
Can Frankfurt keep up the tension?
The big question for the Leverkusen rivals Freiburg and Leipzig: Will Eintracht, who have lost significantly in Leverkusen every time in the past six years, be able to keep up the tension? Where the focus is clearly on Thursday because the league is about almost nothing anymore? Leverkusen coach Gerardo Seoane assumes so. “We expect a normally motivated Frankfurt,” said the Swiss.
“Of course there is a possibility of different mental tension between a very important international game and a Bundesliga game,” he admitted. “But there will very likely be some fresh players coming in who are keen and want to excel. Others need rhythm and will play want. There is no better preparation for them.” Leipzig’s coach Domenico Tedesco doesn’t want to deal with it at all. “It’s all legitimate,” he said about a possible major rotation at Frankfurt: “Eintracht has to play its season. Frankfurt makes the decisions that they have to make.”
Tension in Gladbach
Also for the Gladbacher it’s really about nothing anymore. At least staying up in the league is already secured in this messed-up season. Nevertheless, it is far from irrelevant how the next three games go. Because the mood on the Lower Rhine is tense. Many observers take a critical look at coach Adi Hütter, who, according to his own information, has canceled as Austrian national coach to stay in Gladbach. On the other hand, Hütter himself called the final sprint to the character test. “We want to see who tears himself up to the end,” he said.
When Leipzig hosted Gladbach for the first leg on Matchday 15, they were tied on 18 points. Then things won 4-1 on Tedesco’s debut – and unlike the Gladbachers, they got off to a good start. There are now 16 points between the two clubs. “That says a lot about the development of the team,” said Tedesco.