Dortmund and Bayern on knife-edge as German title race goes to wire

Borussia Dortmund are getting ready to breaking Bayern Munich’s decade-long stranglehold on the German championship, with their title-deciding match towards Mainz on a nerve-shredding last day of the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Star-studded Bayern have had the title of their bag properly earlier than the tip of earlier seasons, however this time, their slip-ups and Dortmund’s persistence are preserving the suspense going to the ultimate whistle.

European spots are additionally up for grabs alongside one of many tightest relegation battles in current reminiscence.

On the prime of the desk, Dortmund know a win over mid-table Mainz will safe their first Bundesliga title since 2012, whereas Bayern can declare their eleventh straight Bundesliga title with a win at Cologne — however provided that the leaders slip up.

Dortmund coach Edin Terzic known as on his aspect to not lose focus, with one recreation to play.

“We’re not finished but, however we’re able to take the ultimate step,” Terzic mentioned, “As a crew, as a membership, as a metropolis.”

Terzic was known as “the very best Dortmund coach since Jurgen Klopp” on Thursday by Germany’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, placing the 40-year-old forward of Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel, maybe an indication of how far the previous Chelsea mentor’s inventory has fallen since taking the job.

Bayern have closed ranks forward of every week which might see them go trophyless for the primary time since 2011-12, however veteran Thomas Mueller known as on followers to “stick collectively for yet another week”.

Writing on Instagram, Mueller — who has been a key a part of the Bayern crew that has gained the final ten Bundesliga titles — instructed his 12.8 million Instagram followers “every little thing remains to be attainable”.

Additional down the pecking order, certainly one of Union Berlin or Freiburg will be part of RB Leipzig within the Champions League for the primary time.

Degree on factors, Union maintain a slight benefit on objective distinction and may all however safe a prime 4 spot by beating Werder Bremen at dwelling, the place they haven’t misplaced a league match this season.

Union supervisor Urs Fischer mentioned “there’s rather a lot at stake on this recreation” however urged his aspect to “keep relaxed, in any other case we’ll cramp up.”

Assured not less than fifth and a spot within the Europa League, Freiburg face a barely harder job in the event that they wish to overtake Union and declare a primary Champions League look, travelling to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Regardless of lifting the Europa League trophy nearly precisely 12 months in the past, Frankfurt have solely a slight mathematical likelihood of a return to European soccer, needing an enormous win whereas hoping each Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen lose.

On the different finish of the desk, whereas last-placed Hertha Berlin’s return to the second division after a decade was sealed final week, any certainly one of 4 golf equipment — Schalke, Bochum, Stuttgart and Augsburg — might be part of them.

Schalke doubtless have the hardest problem, travelling to face Leipzig, whereas Bochum host Leverkusen and Augsburg go to Borussia Moenchengladbach.

The third-last aspect escapes the automated trapdoor to the second division however should play a two-legged relegation playoff towards the third-best aspect within the second division.

One to look at: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham is in a race towards time to be match for Saturday’s title-defining match towards Mainz, in what could also be his final recreation for the membership.

Bellingham missed Dortmund’s 3-0 win away at Augsburg on Sunday with a knee difficulty, solely the second recreation the English teenager has missed up to now two seasons as a result of damage.

Regardless of a contract which runs till 2025 at Dortmund, he’s being courted by Real Madrid and Manchester City.

“I really feel good” Bellingham mentioned on Wednesday, however sporting director Sebastian Kehl revealed the midfielder was sticking to an “extremely formidable” regime to return to the pitch.

Supervisor Edin Terzic mentioned on Thursday Bellingham would “positively be within the squad” however was nonetheless working exhausting to make the beginning XI.

“We hope that the diligence he has proven might be rewarded.”

Key stats

4 – After only one objective in his earlier 14 video games, Bayern’s Serge Gnabry has hit type, having scored in every of his final 4 video games.

23-4 – Dortmund have scored 23 and conceded 4 of their previous 5 dwelling video games (all wins).

16 – Bremen striker Niclas Fuellkrug has the league’s most targets this season with 16 — the bottom complete for the reason that Bundesliga was based in 1963.

Fixtures (all occasions Saturday 1330 GMT)

Borussia Dortmund v Mainz, Cologne v Bayern Munich, Bochum v Bayer Leverkusen, Union Berlin v Werder, Wolfsburg v Hertha Berlin, RB Leipzig v Schalke, Eintracht Frankfurt v Freiburg, Borussia Moenchengladbach v Augsburg, Stuttgart v Hoffenheim