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Six years ago, Schalke were also in the round of 16
Borussia’s performance is also a good story for the Bundesliga, as all four German participants have qualified for the round of 16. Otherwise, only Spain has succeeded. As a result, the Bundesliga has already extended its lead over France in the five-year standings and has secured four Champions League participants for the foreseeable future. More recently, in the 2014/15 season, the four German participants qualified for the round of 16; Schalke 04 was there at the time too, it’s hard to believe.
Also in the European League Things are going well for German clubs, where Bayer Leverkusen and 1899 Hoffenheim have already been confirmed as participants in the knockout round before the last match of the group stage. The German Football League (DFL) then also politely congratulated.
Between the line of duty and surprise
And yet the question arises as to what exactly that says about the state of German football. The appearance of the four representatives of the Champions League can possibly be summarized in two categories: The Gladbachers positively surprised, but they were also lucky. The fact that RB Leipzig finished second in a group with Paris St. Germain and Manchester United is evidence of a sporting development under coach Julian Nagelsmann. How fragile this process can be was given an impression of when Leipzig lost 5-0 in Manchester in late October.
It’s no wonder that Bayern, after all the reigning Champions League winners, are making progress. Hansi Flick’s team has won five of the six preliminary round matches and progress was clear from the start. Thus Bayern could already in the penultimate match against their toughest rivals Atletico Madrid Nominate a starting eleven that featured talents like 17-year-old Bright Akwo Arrey-Mbi and 17. At least it was enough to draw.
Borussia Dortmund could also look forward to a round of 16 in a group in which Lazio was by far the strongest opponent. The only surprise was that BVB secured first place despite a 3-1 loss at the start in Rome. That had to do with a positive evolution of the young Dortmund, but also with the relative weakness of Lazio, who played four draws.
Gladbach achieves “something historic”
Therefore, hymns of praise to the state of German football would also be premature. Bayern coach Flick just said that the Bundesliga has also improved in quality. “Ultimately, it is an improvement of the Bundesliga. We can be satisfied with the development.”But if the best clubs in Germany are compared with those in England, Spain, Italy and France, it will only be possible to analyze after the round of 16 at the earliest.
When the last four German teams reached the knockout round of the Champions League in 2014/15, this spelled the end of the competition for three teams. Some fans will still remember it: BVB had no chance against Juventus, Leverkusen was unlucky on penalties against Atlético, and Schalke won a spectacular return to Real Madrid, but in the end there was no goal to advance.
The people of Gladbach won’t mind, they have every reason to be happy. “Something historical” you made the last sixteen, said coach Marco Rose. No one wanted to contradict him, of course. On Monday (December 14, 2020) the draw for the round of 16 will take place. Gladbach’s opponent becomes Liverpool, Manchester city, Chelsea, Juventus from Turin or Paris St. Germain: the team will definitely be oblivious. Coach Rose said: “There are some nice names coming up.”
Stall: 10.12.2020, 11:41
