20th matchday
Berlin (AP) – Adi Hütter knows the business. It will certainly not be any more relaxed for the Borussia Mönchengladbach coach. Some colleagues had more reason to be happy on Saturday in the Bundesliga.
In the fight for the international starting places, teams like SC Freiburg and 1. FC Union Berlin underlined their ambitions behind Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. BVB still has worries, Erling Haaland is ailing. At the bottom of the table, SpVgg Greuther Fürth draws new hope.
The Borussia misery continues
Seventh loss in the ninth game. And on top of that the long-term injured Lars Stindl – was already certain before the 1-2 defeat at home against Union Berlin. What’s next for Hütter? The two-week international break could come in handy for the Austrian, who was brought in from Eintracht Frankfurt for 7.5 million euros. After that, however, there is no more forgiveness, because Gladbach’s lead over the relegation place is now only three points. The next opponents are Arminia Bielefeld (14th) and FC Augsburg (16th). “These are games against direct competitors in which we have to score,” said coach Hütter.
The Dortmund Borussia joy is clouded
The break may also benefit BVB. Especially her jewel Haaland. Goal number 56 in the 57th game was scored by the Norwegian. Previously, managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke had also calmed down with regard to Haaland’s statements about the alleged pressure on his future decision: “There is no rift between us at all.” But there are concerns about the highly sought-after and talented 21-year-old attacker. He had to leave the field prematurely, what he has was initially unclear. The fact that the break is good for the rest of the team was shown in the game with a flattering 3-2 win at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: With the exception of the first ten minutes, the performance wasn’t really convincing.
Bayer stays cool
You are fortified. And they have consolidated their place behind Bayern and Dortmund. The Leverkusen pros were not discouraged by the goal in the 5-1 win over FC Augsburg. They continued to play confidently, led by Moussa Diaby, who scored three goals. They had made a “great game”, emphasized the Frenchman. And fellow player Jeremie Frimpong said: “We were freezing today.”
The European Cup aspirants from the second row
The 1st Union Berlin, fourth in the table and thus on a Champions League place. SC Freiburg, fifth in the table and thus in the Europa League. And 1. FC Köln after their 2-2 win against VfL Bochum in the evening game just two points behind sixth-placed TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The five clubs behind Bayern and BVB are separated by just six points. Suspense is guaranteed.
The Encouragement Victory
The second victory since promotion last summer gives hope again – is there still something going on at SpVgg Greuther Fürth? “Definitely, nothing is lost there,” said goalscorer Jeremy Dudziak. The 2-1 win against FSV Mainz 05 could have been a start, especially since the Fürth team had previously drawn three times in a row and at least not lost. In addition, top of the table VfB Stuttgart is more than just slouching and with the fifth goalless game in a row they even set a negative club record with the 0:2 against SC Freiburg.
The champion and the runner-up compete
For FC Bayern, the game on Sunday (5.30 p.m. / DAZN) at the end of the 20th matchday at Hertha BSC should only be a mandatory task. The Berliners are still suffering from the bankruptcy in the cup against their city rivals. In addition, BVB came close to Bayern to within three points. Before that (3.30 p.m. / DAZN), the runner-up RB Leipzig, who is gaining momentum, receives the badly battered VfL Wolfsburg.