Borussia Dortmund is ready for two of the most significant games of the season: their Champions League semi-final first leg at home against Paris St. Germain on Wednesday, and their Bundesliga matchup against RB Leipzig on Saturday.
Now that Bayer Leverkusen has clinched the league title, focus is on the fight to earn a spot in the European competitions the following season.
Fans are ecstatic about Dortmund’s surprising triumph in Europe, but the outcome versus Leipzig could have a significant impact on the team’s ability to compete in the continent’s top club competition in the future.
With four games remaining in the season, Leipzig is in fourth position with 59 points, while Dortmund is in fifth place with 57.
Germany is expected to secure a fifth position as one of the top two teams in UEFA’s coefficient table, contingent on the remaining outcomes in European play this season. Nevertheless, the top four teams advance to the Champions League group stage.
With three games left, Dortmund would fall five points behind their opponents if they lost to Leipzig.
Edin Terzic’s squad would suffer a severe blow if they were unable to make it into the Champions League, particularly following a season in which Dortmund is having a great run in the league.
The defender for Dortmund, Nico Schlotterbeck, stated, “It is a very important, decisive game against Leipzig.” “They are our direct rivals and it is a big difference for us finishing fourth or fifth.”We want to win this because we lost to them previously in the season. The competition is for fourth place.”
Despite giving up a late equalizer in their 1-1 draw with Leverkusen last week, Dortmund has won five of their last seven league games, including a 2-0 triumph against Bayern Munich.
Gregor Kobel, the goalkeeper for Dortmund, stated, “It is very important for us to keep trying with 100% to get that fourth place.” “Until we have accomplished it, we are unable to unwind and rest. We have to stay focused and apply the brakes.”
Runner-up Bayern plays Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday in their Champions League semi-final. The goal of Bayern’s matchup is to keep the Europa Conference League qualification berth. Real Madrid is the opponent.
Bayern is looking for coach Thomas Tuchel’s replacement, whom they intend to reveal before the season ends. Tuchel is expected to leave the team at the end of the current campaign.
As they get ready to visit champions Leverkusen in Saturday’s late game, the Bavarians lead the league with 66 points, three points clear of third-place VfB Stuttgart.