In terms of capacity, the 31st round of the German „2. Bundesliga“ division has already been played, with each team having three more matches to play before the end of the championship. With 34 rounds played, the two teams occupying the first two places will earn a direct ticket to the „Bundesliga“, while the team in third place will play a playoff match against the team in 16th place in the top division. Eurofootball.com provides you with an overview of the „2. Bundesliga“ championship.
Who is vying for direct promotion?
With three matches remaining for each team, the teams with the best chance of direct promotion to next season's „Bundesliga“ are „Freiburg“ (66 points) and „RB Leipzig“ (63 points). The team „Nurnberg“ (59 points) could still potentially overtake either of these teams for a direct promotion spot, but they would need not only a strong finish to the season, but also some slip-ups from their competitors.
What has led to the success of these teams and what do they need to secure promotion?
„Freiburg“ (1st place, 66 points) – „Paderborn“ (17th place, away), „Heidenheim“ (9th place, home), „Union Berlin“ (6th place, away).
After being relegated from the top league last season, „Freiburg“ decided to return to the top flight in the first attempt. Just one point separated them from survival in the league last year, and this season they have shown that they belong in the top German league. They can only miss out on promotion to the „Bundesliga“ if they lose all three remaining matches, „RB Leipzig“ collects at least four points, or „Nurnberg“ wins all three matches or finishes with 7 points to have a better goal difference. They have a great chance to secure promotion today, playing away against „Paderborn“, who are in the penultimate position – a win would ensure they stay in the top two.
After a disappointing end to last season, the summer saw the club sell six starters and bring in just two cheaper players to replace them. This step paid off for the club, as they not only earned over 21 million euros, but also had a successful campaign in the second division, with these two new signings leading the pack. Nils Petersen and Vincenzo Grifo combined for 34 goals and 20 assists, helping the team not only top the league, but also be the most prolific team in the championship. Petersen is at the top of the goal scorers list, and Grifo is unbeatable in assists for his teammates.
„RB Leipzig“ (2nd place, 63 points) – „Arminia Bielefeld“ (13th place, home), „Karlsruher“ (7th place, home), „Duisburg“ (18th place, away).
Founded just under seven years ago, „RB Leipzig“ is on a direct path to the top league in Germany. Backed by the „Red Bull“ conglomerate, the team started in the fifth division, spent just one season there, and then climbed up the ranks. It was in the fourth division that they faced the biggest challenges, finally securing promotion on the third attempt. They had a smooth ride in the third division and earned promotion on the first try, and in the „2. Bundesliga“ last season, they finished fifth in their debut campaign, with this year looking to secure their fourth promotion in seven years of existence.
To guarantee a spot in the „Bundesliga“, this team needs to win two out of the remaining three matches. They could also benefit from slip-ups from „Nurnberg“, which would bring them closer to their goal.
Having vast experience in leading teams, Ralf Rangnick became the sporting director of „RB Leipzig“ in 2012, and this season he decided to take on the role of head coach as well. The experienced strategist solidified the team's defense, which was the best in the league this season, but their victories mainly came from the ability to score more than their opponents. In the last two years, they spent over 40 million euros on transfers, bringing in talented players who helped the club achieve rapid and positive results.
Who will play in the playoff match for promotion to the „Bundesliga“?
If „Nurnberg“ does not surpass the top two teams during the remainder of the season, they should remain in third place and play against the 16th team in the „Bundesliga“. To drop to fourth place, they would not only need to not earn any points, but also see „St. Pauli“ win all nine matches and have a lower goal difference (+27 compared to their competitors' +6). This scenario seems unrealistic, so it appears that only the top three teams are vying for promotion to the top division.
Lithuanian national team player Arvydas Novikovas represented the „Bochum“ team, which showed great form at the beginning of the season. However, their eight-game unbeaten run at the start of the season soon turned into a series of seven winless matches, pushing them down the standings. Despite still seriously contending for third place at the end of the season, losses to main rivals - „RB Leipzig“ and „St. Paulit“ - dashed any hopes of climbing higher than fourth place. Currently, „Bochum“ sits in fifth place in the league table.
Novikovas' season was tumultuous, with little playing time. Joining the team injured, he made his debut only in the tenth round, coming off the bench. Although he consistently made the matchday squad later on, he only appeared on the field 14 times, starting in the lineup only three times. In his final appearance, he missed an 11-meter penalty early on, was immediately substituted, and never made it back into the starting lineup. Without scoring any goals this season, he provided just one assist to his teammates.
Disappointment
After finishing last in the „Bundesliga“ last season, „Paderborn“ could now find themselves playing in the third-tier German league next season. Currently occupying 18th place, the team will have to say goodbye to the second division and move down a notch at the end of the season. Unlike „Freiburg“, „Paderborn“ kept most of the players who featured in the top league, making their relegation even more surprising for their fans. Unhappy with the results, the club's management sacked two coaches already this season, but none of the three coaches who led the team this season could lead them to victories.
League standings:
Tautvydas Sakalauskas
