With one last match day before players jet off to suit up for their respective countries lets look at this weeks news and matches.
Bundesliga in Europe
Bayer Leverkusen was looking at a tall order on Wednesday. With a 4-2 defeat at home against Atletico Madrid there wasn’t much to expect. Bayer did not disgrace themselves as they did in the first leg, drawing with the hosts 0-0. German newspaper Bild claimed they ‘Shaved themselves out of Europe’. While not the wittiest of comments about a blah match it was in reference to Javier Hernandez new shaved hair style.
The main eye on Europe was the all German tie between Borussia Monchengladbach and Schalke 04 in the Europa League. Drawing the first match 1-1 all things were on the table at Borussia Park. It seemsed that the Foals were in the drivers seat after the late first half Mahmoud Dahoud goal to make things 2-0 at the half. But it seems Schalke coach Markus Weinzierl learned from his European excursion with Augsburg last campaign. But a goal from Leon Goretzka and a harsh penalty conversion from Nabil Bentaleb changed matters, 2-2 in the end.
Now the Bundesliga clubs Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Schalke 04 wait for the draw on Friday. In Zurich they will find out their opposition in the Champions League and Europa League quarterfinals.
Matches of the Week
Bayern Munich has found themselves in the unique position of getting the points earned to defend their title while the challengers have been dropping points. At this point it is hard to believe they will not win again. Borussia Monchengladbach is a different team. Since the coaching change Borussia has been a club on fire. While going out of the Europa League is a shame there is an outside chance that they could get Champions League for the third season running. Difficult to call but at Borussia Park last season the Foals came away with three points.
This week’s relegation three pointer comes from the Auto City. Wolfsburg gained a valuable three points last week at RB Leipzig. Currently only superior goal difference separates them from 14th and 16th, the relegation playoff. Playing host to Darmstadt isn’t easy. The Lilies dominated Mainz last week from start to finish. Under Torsten Frings this is a different team. Might be too late but a win would mean they could see the salvation of that relegation playoff.
FC Koln will be kicking themselves for having missed out again on points in a 2-2 draw at Ingolstadt last week. Currently in seventh and a point back from Frankfurt in sixth they can taste Europa League football. Visitors Hertha Berlin has defeated Frankfurt, BVB, and drawn Munich in their last four matches. While there is a two point gap from fourth and the Champions League Berlin seems to have shown they learned from last season late slump. Points at the RhineEnergeStadion will be precious indeed to either side as they chase European places.
Bundesliga on Fox Schedule
Bundesliga weekend starts off with the same match that brought us a wonderful 3-3 comeback in the fall. Borussia Dortmund hosts FC Ingolstadt on Fox Sports 2.
Saturday early matches has Hoffenheim taking on Bayer Leverkusen on Fox Sports 1 and Werder Bremen hosting RB Leipzig on Fox Soccer Plus. Topspiel, the late match, has Eintracht Frankfurt hosting HSV on FSP.
Sunday doubleheader doesn’t disappoint. Mainz host Schalke on FS1 followed by Borussia Monchengladbach hosting Bayern Munich on FSP.
