The Bundesliga season reaches its climax on Saturday, with Borussia Dortmund aiming to secure their ninth German championship.
Their quest involves dethroning Bayern Munich, who have held the title for the past decade.
Alongside the thrilling title race, there are European spots up for grabs and a tightly contested relegation battle, adding to the excitement of the campaign’s conclusion.
Dortmund knows that a victory over mid-table Mainz will guarantee them the title, while Bayern can claim their 11th consecutive championship if they win against Cologne, provided that Dortmund falters.
Manager Edin Terzic has called on his team to maintain their focus for the final game. “We’re not done yet, but we’re ready to take the final step,” Terzic declared. “As a team, as a club, as a city.”
Terzic’s coaching prowess has earned him high praise, being hailed as “the best Dortmund coach since Jurgen Klopp” by Germany’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
This recognition places the 40-year-old ahead of Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel, highlighting the remarkable progress Terzic has made since assuming the role.
Meanwhile, Bayern has rallied together ahead of a potentially trophyless week, a rare occurrence since the 2011-2012 season. Thomas Mueller, a veteran player who has won the last ten Bundesliga titles with Bayern, appealed to the fans to stand united for one more week.
Writing on Instagram, Mueller, who boasts 12.8 million followers, emphasized that “everything is still possible.”
Beyond the title race, the battle for European qualification is heating up, with Union Berlin and Freiburg vying for a place in the Champions League alongside RB Leipzig.
Union Berlin, currently level on points with Freiburg, holds a slight advantage on goal difference and can secure a top-four spot by defeating Werder Bremen at home. Notably, Union Berlin has not lost a league match at home this season.
Manager Urs Fischer acknowledged the significance of the upcoming game, stating, “There’s a lot at stake in this game.” He urged his team to remain calm under pressure, emphasizing the importance of avoiding nervousness.
Freiburg, guaranteed at least fifth place and a spot in the Europa League, faces a tougher challenge as they travel to Eintracht Frankfurt. While Frankfurt’s chances of a European return are slim, they will look to end the season on a high note and keep their mathematical hopes alive.
In the relegation battle, Hertha Berlin has already secured their return to the second division after a ten-year stint in the top flight. However, the fate of Schalke, Bochum, Stuttgart, and Augsburg hangs in the balance as any one of these clubs could join Hertha Berlin in relegation.
Schalke faces a difficult task, taking on RB Leipzig away, while Bochum hosts Bayer Leverkusen, and Augsburg visits Borussia Moenchengladbach. The team that finishes third from the bottom will enter a relegation playoff against the third-best team from the second division.
Amidst Dortmund’s crucial match against Mainz, midfielder Jude Bellingham is racing against time to recover from a knee issue. This fixture could potentially be Bellingham’s final game for Dortmund, as the 19-year-old is a target for Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Bellingham remains optimistic about his fitness, and Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl has praised his dedication to returning to the pitch.
The Bundesliga’s final day promises an exhilarating culmination of the season, with thrilling title prospects, European aspirations, and the gripping relegation battle all captivating football fans.
