Bundesliga Braces for Final-Stage Chaos: Europe and Survival on the Line

TDT | Manama

Email: hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

While Bayern Munich prepare for their celebratory send-off against Borussia Mönchengladbach — complete with beer showers and a farewell to club legend Thomas Müller — the rest of the Bundesliga is bracing for a chaotic finale in the race for Europe and survival.

Eintracht Frankfurt, Freiburg, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig are locked in a high-stakes four-way battle for the final two Champions League spots. With Bayer Leverkusen secure in second, third-placed Frankfurt (56 points) can clinch their seat at Europe’s top table by beating St. Pauli on Sunday. Freiburg (52), meanwhile, head to desperate Holstein Kiel, who are clinging to their Bundesliga lives in 17th.

Dortmund, last year’s Champions League runners-up, face a trickier task. They visit Leverkusen on Sunday in what could be coach Xabi Alonso and playmaker Florian Wirtz’s final home appearances before reported summer exits. Just one point behind Freiburg, the Black and Yellows have momentum on their side — five wins in their last six.

Leipzig’s form, however, has evaporated. Winless in their last three and with only three wins in 11, their trip to Werder Bremen could be their final shot at rescuing a European place.

At the bottom, the picture is just as tense. Bochum sit last on 22 points but remain mathematically alive. They host Mainz, a team chasing Europe themselves. Kiel (25 points) and Heidenheim (26) hover above, with the latter visiting Union Berlin in a relegation six-pointer.

As Bayern wave goodbye to Müller and another title, the rest of Germany’s top flight is gearing up for a frantic, defining penultimate weekend.