{"id":1141631,"date":"2020-05-14T17:26:43","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T16:26:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1141631"},"modified":"2020-05-15T16:31:45","modified_gmt":"2020-05-15T15:31:45","slug":"bundesliga-2019-20-guide-best-players-wonderkids-matches","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/bundesliga-2019-20-guide-best-players-wonderkids-matches\/","title":{"rendered":"Bundesliga 2019\/20 is back: Here’s your state of play for the title race, relegation battle & most exciting players"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite the prospect of empty stands, non-existent atmospheres and substitutes wearing face masks, the Bundesliga<\/span>‘s return this Saturday will be momentous in its wider implications for other divisions in other countries hoping to restart.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But it is also at a significant stage of the competition in its own right. Not only has the German top flight been one of the most riveting watches this campaign (you could make a case that the title race involves no fewer than five teams), this upcoming gameweek will involve one of the most fiercely contested rivalries football has to offer.<\/p>\n

State of play<\/b><\/h2>\n

Bayern’s supremacy under threat?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Bundesliga<\/p>\n

As with Juventus in Serie A and Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, Bayern Munich<\/span> have established an near-impregnable stranglehold on their own domestic division that has enabled the Bavarian powerhouse to win all of the previous seven Bundesliga titles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite transitional periods under Carlo Ancelotti<\/span> and Niko Kovac, the Bayern juggernaut has not allowed its closest rivals to thwart their perennial pursuit of domestic silverware, but this season things have been different.<\/p>\n

Bayern currently top the table, but it has been anything but a smooth ascent to the No. 1 position. Even now, the prospect of retaining their crown is under serious threat.<\/p>\n

Under Hans-Dieter Flick the Bavarians have picked up from a shaky start to the campaign, which resulted in Kovac’s dismissal, but the likes of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig have been enjoying exceptionally fruitful campaigns and offer a real threat.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

BVB<\/span> are just four points adrift table-toppers Bayern, and the acquisition of Erling Braut Haaland in January has given them renewed hope of causing a relative upset. Meanwhile, Die Roten<\/span> Bullen – under young coach Julian Nagelsmann – have impressed with their stylish football and ensemble of young stars.<\/p>\n

Borussia Monchengladbach<\/span> have also kept themselves in the conversation and have even put Bayern to the sword this season, proving they are more than just a dark horse. Given the way this season panned out so far, don’t rule out a late charge from Marco Rose’s side.<\/p>\n

\n

Fixtures this weekend<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Saturday 16th May<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Borussia Dortmund<\/span> vs Schalke (14:30)<\/li>\n
  • RB Leipzig vs Freiburg<\/a> (14:30)<\/li>\n
  • Hoffenheim vs Hertha Berlin (14:30)<\/li>\n
  • Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Paderborn (14:30)<\/li>\n
  • Augsburg vs Wolfsburg (14:30)<\/li>\n
  • Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Monchengladbach<\/span> (17:30)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Sunday 17th May<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Koln vs Mainz (14:30)<\/li>\n
    • Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich<\/span> (17:00)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Monday 18th May<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Werder Bremen vs Bayer Leverkusen<\/span> (19:30)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \"Bundesliga<\/a>

        READ MORE:<\/span> Bundesliga live streaming: How to watch German football\u2019s top tier online<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

        \n

        Push for Europe: FC Koln\u00a0a surprise package?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        Fourth-placed Monchengladbach<\/span> are currently just two points above Bayer Leverkusen<\/span> in fifth, but below these two clubs, 10 points separates them from Schalke. Unless an exceptional nosedive occurs for either Monchengladbach or Leverkusen then they have all but wrapped up a European place.<\/p>\n

        That means the chase is on for the final Europa League qualification spot. David Wagner’s side currently occupy sixth-place with 37 points, but just the single point below them are Wolfsburg and SC Freiburg, while Hoffenheim are just two points adrift.<\/p>\n

        FC Koln are also in the mix with just five points separating the carnival club from Schalke, meaning the next few weeks are going to be fraught with equal measures of excitement and nervous energy as these clubs fight tooth and nail to secure a place in the Champions League’s little brother.<\/p>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        SC Freiburg would be a surprise shout for the qualification berth, but the likes of Christian Gunter and Nils Petersen have been in top form and could help navigate the club to an unlikely sixth-place finish. Their win over RB Leipzig in October suggests they are not a club to be treated lightly.<\/p>\n

        But, arguably the unlikeliest of those candidates is free-spirited FC Koln, who only just returned to the top-flight<\/span> having won 2. Bundesliga<\/span> last campaign. They have endured a helter-skelter season to say the least. Having lost 10 of their opening 14 matches, FC Koln have since won eight of their last 11, channelling their inner Jekyll and Hyde and producing a late surge.<\/p>\n

        Relegation battle: Bremen on the brink?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        Unless a dramatic upturn in fortunes unfolds at the Weser Stadium, Werder Bremen’s 39-year stay in the Bundesliga<\/span> is in serious jeopardy of coming to an end. As it stands, Florian Kohfeldt’s side are currently four points adrift of the relegation play-off spot and eights points from absolute safety.<\/p>\n

        Paderborn are rooted to the foot of the table on 16 points and are in even more perilous territory than Werder, while Fortuna Dusseldorf, whom the basement club play this weekend, currently occupy 16th (the relegation play-off spot).<\/p>\n

        To say this weekend’s meeting between Dusseldorf and Paderborn is a crucial game would not be doing the enormity of the occasion justice. The former will be desperate to close the gap on Mainz in 15th, with four points separating the two sides, while the latter can simply not afford to see further points fall by the wayside.<\/p>\n

        The Revierderby<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        If Dusseldorf vs Paderborn hasn’t already got your heart racing, then the Revierderby, most notably contested between Dortmund and Schalke will surely do the trick.<\/p>\n

        Known in Germany<\/span> as ‘the mother of all derbies’, this is an age-old tinderbox of a match, contested by two great\u00a0adversaries of German football.<\/span><\/p>\n

        There have been some vintage displays over the years (few could forget the dramatic 4-4 draw in 2017\/18) but this year presents a fascinating match-up in that both clubs are desperate to achieve their respective goals at such a relatively late stage in the campaign.<\/p>\n

        With the bragging rights in the Ruhr region up for grabs this weekend and each club pushing for a strong finish, this is not a match you will want to miss.<\/p>\n

        \"Borussia<\/a>

        READ MORE:<\/span> Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke: Where to watch the Revierderby and what to expect \u00a0<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

        Players to watch<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        The wonderkids<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        The Bundesliga has been awash with emerging talent in recent years, and this season is no exception to the rule.<\/p>\n

        Of course, Dortmund<\/span> have largely stole the show. Wunderkinds Jadon Sancho<\/strong> and Erling Braut Haaland<\/strong>\u00a0 are earning\u00a0eulogies\u00a0aplenty from esteemed figures in the game, but keep an eye out for teenage\u00a0whizkid Giovanni Reyna<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n

        Reminder: only 11 players have scored more German Bundesliga goals this season than Erling Haaland… he's only played 511 minutes. ?<\/p>\n

        We might not have to wait much longer for more mind-blowing stats. pic.twitter.com\/AvxVmDdmLr<\/a><\/p>\n

        — Squawka (@Squawka) May 6, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n