After 16 match days, many clubs are still close together in the Bundesliga relegation battle. sport.de does a check before the start of the second half of the season: Can Mainz 05, 1. FC Köln and Darmstadt 98 still save themselves in the last three places? And what about the teams in front of them, which include Gladbach, Werder Bremen and Union Berlin?
Shortly before the end of the first series, ten Bundesliga teams can be counted among the (expanded) circle of relegation candidates – at least when looking at their points tally so far.
Experience has shown that the momentum can change completely in the short term due to injuries, new signings or changes of coach, but certain tendencies are already emerging.
sport.de divides the teams ranked 9th to 18th into three categories: “Relatively safe”, “In trembling mode” as well as “Hardly salvageable.”
Relatively safe: 1. FC Heidenheim (9th), VfL Wolfsburg (10th), Borussia Mönchengladbach (12th)
Two disappointments, one surprise: the signs in this category are very different. While Wolves and Foals should be in a better position than before in terms of the potential of their respective squads, the FCH has caused a sensation under cult coach Frank Schmidt.
Especially at home Heidenheim a power, won five of eight games and thus laid the foundation for the 20-point mark that has already been broken. But be careful: In the second series, mostly championship and European Cup aspirants will be visiting the Voith Arena, while away from home they will be playing against many basement children. And abroad there was significantly less interaction between the newcomers.
Wolfsburg Meanwhile, has a selection of players with whom sixth place (or more) would definitely be possible. In the first few months, however, the fluctuations were enormous, which is why coach Niko Kovac was also questioned. However, VfL is unlikely to slip in at the bottom, as the quality is simply too high.
The team is not quite as strong, but still more than solid Gladbach. The first half of the season was characterized by more downs than ups, with the defense in particular giving the new coach Gerardo Seoane a headache. Every now and then there were indications of what Borussia was capable of. It will be enough for a place in the no-man’s land of the table.
In trembling mode: FC Augsburg (11th), Werder Bremen (13th), VfL Bochum (14th), Union Berlin (15th), FSV Mainz 05 (16th)
In the fight to stay in the league augsburg certainly the best cards from this quintet. After the change of coach, the Dane Jess Thorup stabilized the team and made it more resilient. The quality of the squad is also good. However, the past has shown that the FCA rarely manages without drama. A small series of defeats and the air becomes thinner again.
The latter is at Werder Bremen already the case. The short preparation in the winter was marked by bankruptcies, bad luck and mishaps: numerous players were injured, new signings have not arrived so far – and loan player Rafael Borré wants to leave. Almost logically, SVW embarrassed themselves in the test against second division basement child Eintracht Braunschweig (1:3), whereupon officials and players attacked each other. In this condition, the Hanseatic League, who were already weak in the previous series, are likely to slide to the bottom.
The mood is significantly better Bochum, which could capitalize directly on the Bremen crisis when it restarts on Sunday. Before the winter break, the team presented improved form and the spirit in the team was right. It’s just annoying that difference player Takuma Asano is with Japan at the Asian Cup and will therefore miss a few games. Nevertheless: At VfL, the prospects for the fourth Bundesliga season in a row are getting better and better.
For Union Berlin In the meantime, it’s all about damage limitation. After five years in which things only went up, the Iron Men experienced a first half of the season to forget, which even cost successful coach Urs Fischer his job. In the winter, the capital club is now rebuilding the squad that was originally designed for the Champions League, and Fischer’s successor Nenad Bjelica seems to have clear ideas. With the quality in the team and the improved atmosphere in the club, Union could climb out of the bottom quite quickly.
A miracle bag is and remains Mainz 05, which surprisingly continues to rely on the rather inexperienced Jan Siewert after Bo Svensson’s exit. Before the winter break, the Rheinhessen became more stable defensively, but almost nothing went forward (only two goals in the last six games). So it will be difficult to leave the relegation place – especially since there are no longer any shopping trips planned.
Hard to save: 1. FC Köln (17th), SV Darmstadt 98 (18th)
Adverse conditions in Cologne: First the extremely popular coach Steffen Baumgart left, then the transfer ban for Effzeh was confirmed by FIFA. This means that the urgently needed external reinforcements cannot be brought in. Having hired a Baumgart heir in Timo Schultz, who had had moderate success in his previous positions, fueled the pessimism in those around him. A small miracle is now needed at the Geißbockheim.
Things look similarly dreary SV Darmstadt out of. Many experts tipped them to last place before the season, but the Lilies actually found it extremely difficult to adapt to the 1st Bundesliga. In terms of quality, the newcomer has significant disadvantages compared to the competition, which is why coach Torsten Lieberknecht and his tactical tricks will be particularly important. However, there is not much that speaks for salvation.
Heiko Lütkehus