We’re now entering the final and crucial phase of the season. With just ten weeks to go, the heat is on. The big questions are, who will win the title, who will qualify for the Champions League and the Europa League and who will be relegated. And these are the questions that Bundesliga Kickoff will be looking at too.
Then we’ll be taking a closer look at a coach and a team that isn't fighting for a place in Europe or against relegation. A team anchored in mid table but with plans for the future.
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Freiburg – Hanover
The encounter between the 15th and 17th placed team in the Bundesliga table has drawn plenty of attention, but for the wrong kind of reasons.
Neither team has won a match since the fall and have continued to drop down the table. Fear of relegation has undermined confidence on both sides. Both teams desperately need to win this match to turn their fortunes around. The match of the week is a duel with high stakes.
Dortmund – Mönchengladbach
This season Borussia Dortmund could finally seal their return to the international arena. After languishing for years in mid-table, Dortmund is now back in 5th place and hoping to book their ticket for the Europa League or more.
But Dortmund had similar ambitions last season, and then Mönchengladbach came along in the last match of the season and ruined the party. Now they have to face Gladbach again – a former top club that is very quietly getting itself in shape. To find out more about that, we’ll be talking to the Mönchengladbach coach…
And now… Michael Frontzeck
Born in Mönchengladbach in 1964, Michael Frontzeck is one of those veteran heroes who, like many of Gladbach’s previous coaches, once played for the club himself.
As head coach, the club is now looking to him to build on his earlier success. Gladbach tend to get through their coaches pretty quickly – the club have had 19 head coaches in the past 20 years. But many feel Frontzeck could be around for a while. Gladbach have not performed spectacularly under his leadership, but Michael Frontzeck very much gives the impression that he is a man with a plan.
Bremen – Stuttgart
A clash between two teams fighting for a place in European competition. Who would have thought it, when they met last fall, Bremen won easily.
Back then Werder were number two in the table while Stuttgart was way down in 17th position. But now the two teams are virtually neighbours in the league table – in 6th and 8th position – and both have their sights set on Europe. Another match where both teams desperately want a win.
Cologne – Bayern
Last weekend, Bayern finally grabbed top position, knocking surprise package Leverkusen down to second place.
Analysts were immediately convinced that Bayern would not relinquish the top spot again. If they win all their remaining matches, Bayern will indeed claim the title. The pressure of being out in front finally made Leverkusen falter, so how will Bayern react to being top dogs? Will they slip up too? Cologne will be the first ones to test the Bavarians’ nerve.
- Nuremberg – Leverkusen
- Frankfurt – Schalke
- Hamburg – Berlin
- Wolfsburg – Bochum
- Hoffenheim – Mainz
