It’s not just the title race and the fight to stay up in the league that’s exciting in the Bundesliga. The third and fourth places, which entitle you to take part in the Champions League in the coming season, are also hotly contested. The starting position of the most promising candidates at a glance:
1. FC Union Berlin (56 points)
The Unioners will be able to rely even more on their fans for the potentially decisive duel with SC Freiburg. The Irons will receive their pursuers, who are currently tied, on May 13th in the An der Alten Försterei stadium. Where the club from Köpenick has been unbeaten for 21 Bundesliga games – setting the club record. “They didn’t lose here this season and we felt why today,” said Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso after the 0-0 draw on Saturday.
At FC Augsburg, at home against Freiburg, at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and on the last day of the game at home against SV Werder Bremen: a remaining program with a great chance of scoring for coach Urs Fischer’s team. The fact that the returnee András Schäfer is now also available to the Swiss should further increase the chances of the Unioners, who were promoted to the Bundesliga in 2019, being promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time.
SC Freiburg (56 points)
One thing is clear: the sports club is already playing the best season in the club’s history. Freiburg have never had 56 points since the introduction of the three-point rule at the end of the season. Now after 30 of 34 match days. “We’ll see what comes of it,” said coach Christian Streich, who was always reserved when it came to setting goals.
Will the first qualification for the premier class succeed? The duel with RB Leipzig in the semi-finals of the cup is on Tuesday, only five days later the Saxons come to Freiburg in the Bundesliga. A week later, the prank team goes to Union Berlin – another showdown with a table neighbor. On the penultimate day, Freiburg, who are strong at home, meet VfL Wolfsburg before they finally go to Eintracht Frankfurt. “What could be nicer than fighting for the Champions League four games before the end? That will definitely free up more energy for us,” says SC captain Christian Günter.
RB Leipzig (54 points)
The Freiburg week will be decisive for RB’s goals this season, even if captain Willi Orban sees the premier class fight “until the last matchday”. After all, the German cup winners still have to play at FC Bayern on May 20th. Until then, the people of Leipzig have to “climb the mountain step by step. Then it is crucial to score points in Freiburg, possibly also to win,” said Orban.
At the end of the season, Christopher Nkunku could be a guarantee of success on his farewell tour towards Chelsea. “His depth runs are extremely good for us, his presence on the ball, his goal threat. I think he’ll be a very important factor again in the last few games,” said veteran Kevin Kampl. The Spaniard Dani Olmo is also fighting for his future. The Champions League qualification should be a good basis for an early contract extension. “We speak well,” said sporting director Max Eberl after the 1-0 win over Hoffenheim.
Bayer Leverkusen (48 points)
Eight points behind third-placed Union Berlin and fourth-placed SC Freiburg with four games left, Bayer Leverkusen can hardly catch up. Nevertheless, they want to put pressure on the front teams, said sports director Simon Rolfes. “We’ll do everything we can to keep climbing,” said the 41-year-old. Leverkusen have been unbeaten in 14 competitive games. But the 14-time Champions participant also has the chance of the joker card. By winning the Europa League, the Rhinelanders – like Eintracht Frankfurt last season – would secure the ticket for the fifth German premier class participant.
