Struggling Bundesliga giants Werder Bremen have just two matches to avoid relegation, but can take a significant step towards survival at Mainz today. Bayern Munich were confirmed Bundesliga champions for the eighth straight season in midweek, but the fight to stay up is still raging.
Bremen are second-bottom and in danger of losing their status as the club with the most years spent in Germany’s top flight. They sit one point behind Fortuna Duesseldorf, who occupy the relegation play-off spot, but six behind 15th-placed Mainz after their surprise win at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
Four-time champions Bremen have been in the Bundesliga every season bar one since its introduction in 1963. They were relegated in 1980, but came straight back up. Bremen visit Mainz in one of nine games at 1330 GMT today and host Cologne on the final day of the season on June 27. “We have two ‘finals’, which we must win to stay up,” said midfielder Maximilian Eggestein. Werder’s American midfielder Josh Sargent said: “No one wants to let the team or the city down.”
Paderborn have already been relegated. Duesseldorf host Augsburg today and visit Union Berlin on the final day, while Mainz can secure safety by beating Bremen before their last match at Champions League-chasing Bayer Leverkusen. Mainz coach Achim Beierlorzer has billed the game as a “relegation final”.
Meanwhile, second-placed Borussia Dortmund are looking to bounce back from Wednesday’s shock defeat by Mainz at RB Leipzig, who are third but yet to secure a Champions League spot. Leipzig striker Timo Werner, who has scored 32 goals in all competitions this season, has confirmed he is moving to Chelsea from July 1, but can play in Leipzig’s last two Bundesliga games of the campaign.
Werner scored in Leipzig’s 2-2 draw with Duesseldorf on Wednesday, but they threw away a two-goal lead and still need another win to secure Champions League qualification.
“Now we have to deliver on Saturday,” said coach Julian Nagelsmann, whose side would also leapfrog Dortmund into second with victory. “Coming second in the league doesn’t mean anything. It’s about getting into the Champions League and we’ve got enough to do there.”
There will be no coronation for Bayern after today’s final home game of the season against Freiburg. The league said they must wait to receive the Bundesliga trophy until after their final match, next weekend at Wolfsburg, due to coronavirus restrictions. Bayern are without the suspended Alphonso Davies, who was sent off in midweek, and Lucas Hernandez is expected to take over at left-back as the Bavarians chase a 15th straight win all competitions.
Today’s Fixtures
(all times 1330 GMT)
Bayern Munich v Freiburg, RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund, Hoffenheim v Union Berlin, Fortuna Dusseldorf v Augsburg, Hertha Berlin v Bayer Leverkusen, Mainz v Werder Bremen, Schalke v Wolfsburg, Cologne v Eintracht Frankfurt, Paderborn v Borussia Moenchengladbach
Werder Bremen are second-bottom and in danger of losing their status as the club with the most years spent in Germany’s top flight. (AFP)
