BUNDESLIGA PRIMER: What's left to play for in Germany
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By LARRY HENRY JR.
4 Yrs Ago
The German Bundesliga has been dominated by Bayern Munich for the past decade, but Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig have ample opportunities to make the title theirs with nine matches still to play.
The Bundesliga’s return this weekend is big news well beyond Germany, as the rest of Europe, and the world, prepares to tune into the first major soccer league to return to action since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The electric atmosphere often associated with Bundesliga action won’t be the same due to the closed-door settings of the upcoming matches, but the quality the league can put on the field, coupled with it being the first league to resume play, will mean millions of soccer fans tuning in.
What will new Bundesliga viewers find when they check in? They will find a league with plenty to play for, and a healthy dose of star power.
Bayern Munich leads the Bundesliga table with 55 points, four points clear of Dortmund and five points ahead of Leipzig. However, Hans-Dieter Flick's side cannot afford any slip-ups the remainder of the domestic season if they want to repeat as league champions.
Lucien Favre's Dortmund has two fewer wins and two more draws than Bayern while Julian Nagelsmann's RB Leipzig is tied with Bayern for the fewest defeats this league season (3). Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen aren't mathematically out of the title race, but their focus is on securing a Champions League berth.
Leverkusen is two points out of the top four while Schalke is holding the final Europa League playoff place. Wolfsburg, Freiburg, Hoffenheim, and Cologne are all in the mix for sixth place with only five points separating sixth through tenth.
The opposite end of the league table sees both Paderborn and Werder Bremen needing a valiant effort to avoid relegation. Both teams have yet to eclipse the 20-point mark this campaign and have only tasted victory four times in over 23+ matches played.
Fortuna Dusseldorf is not of the woods yet, sitting in 16th place and four points from safety. Mainz, Augsburg, and Hertha Berlin are all looking to jump into the top-half and pad their lead over Dusseldorf.
Here is a closer look at what's left to play for this Bundesliga season:
Title Race
Bayern Munich is the heavy favorite to repeat as Bundesliga champions, but will be pushed by Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig the remainder of the way.
Bayern leads the league with 73 goals scored and are tied with RB Leipzig for the fewest goals conceded (26). Robert Lewandowski and Timo Werner are both over the 20-goal mark for their respective teams and will be relied on down the stretch to continue their Player of the Year seasons.
Borussia Dortmund has been led by an exciting attack which sees Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland running the show with 23 combined league goals. Marco Reus' experience could also play a vital part for Dortmund down the stretch, who still have to take on both Bayern and Leipzig in the final nine matches.
Top Four
Bayern Munich seems likely to clinch a top-four place this season, but second through fourth is no guaranteed by any stretch yet.
Dortmund has been the top Bundesliga team at home this season, earning 30 of their 51 points at Signal Iduna Park and posting a 9-3-0 record. However, with closed-door matches being the format for the rest of the season, the famous Yellow Wall and intimidating home atmosphere in Dortmund won’t be around to help BVB secure its first Bundesliga title since 2012.
RB Leipzig has been about as consistent at Red Bull Arena as on the road, earning seven wins apiece. Julian Nagelsmann’s squad boasts a stingy defense, and impressive depth that should help the club stay within striking distance of a title run.
Borussia Mönchengladbach has been an underrated team in Germany this season, sitting fourth and right behind Dortmund and Leipzig in the title race. Earning nine of their 15 wins at home, Marco Rose's squad will be kicking themselves for dropped points earlier in the season.
Bayer Leverkusen is two points out of the top four and surprisingly has been better on the road than at the BayArena this campaign. Their 45 goals will need to increase for a chance at Champions League Football next season, but have talented playmakers in Kai Havertz and Leon Bailey.
Relegation Fight
The bottom two teams in the Bundesliga will need to toughen up defensively if they want to avoid a drop to the second-tier this summer.
Last place Paderborn have been atrocious at home this season, earning only two wins out of a possible 13 so far. Their 31 goals conceded are the most allowed by a Bundesliga side at home and will need to change dramatically if they want to avoid a quick return to the 2. Bundesliga. Ben Zolinski and Sebastian Schonlau have both contributed goals, but will need to bring leadership to an ineffective bunch so far.
Werder Bremen is in 17th place, eight points clear of safety, but will need plenty more goals to get out of trouble. Their 27 goals scored are tied with Fortuna Dusseldorf for the fewest this season, while its eight goals at home is dead last. Milot Rashica leads the team with seven goals, but will need help from Josh Sargent and Yuya Osako who have seven combined goals between them.
Fortuna Dusseldorf has struggled for goals as well, totaling only 27 so far this season. Rouwen Hennings has been their top player with 11 tallies, but again help is needed from veteran teammates. Kenan Karaman and Erik Thommy will be expected to do more with the club's backs against the wall.
Mainz is four points clear of Dusseldorf in the relegation playoff spot and looking to hang on to league safety. Robin Quaison's 12 goals have been impressive, but the lack of consistency in the backend has been disappointing. The club cannot continue to yo-yo between wins and losses with every point being precious at this time of the season.
Augsburg is in 14th with 27 points and seeking some strong road results to ensure they play in the Bundesliga next season. The club has earned the second fewest points on the road this season, earning nine from a possible 39. What's even worse is Augsburg’s current five-match winless run, which has seen them shut out in three of those matches.
Golden Boot
It is a two-horse race for the Golden Boot this season with Robert Lewandowski and Timo Werner leading the way.
Lewandowski has been one of the best goalscorers in the history of the Bundesliga, scoring 25 goals so far this season. The Polish star has six goals in 2020 while also adding goals in both the UEFA Champions League and German Cup for good measure.
Werner has been just as important for Julian Nagelsmann's team this season, scoring 21 goals and adding seven assists. The German only has three goals since the start of 2020, but could be crucial on if RB Leipzig make a late season push to earn a first-ever Bundesliga title.