Dortmund have reached the final and quarter-finals of the Champions League in the past two seasons respectively, but now risk missing out entirely next season
Borussia Dortmund are in the thick of a fierce, late-season scramble for a top four finish in the Bundesliga, as the club eye an appearance in the Champions League next season.
Dortmund, currently seventh with 45 points, have shown resilience and determination in recent matches. They held league leaders Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena earlier in April, and then achieved a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Borussia Moenchengladbach last week.
Head coach Niko Kovac has emphasised maintaining momentum, and said that his players were willing to “go beyond any pain”.
“I am happy that the lads recognise the situation,” said Kovac. “Everyone can read the standings. Everyone knows what is at stake and everyone has to increase their focus.”
Eintracht Frankfurt currently hold third place with 52 points (after Bayern Munich and Leverkusen in first and second place respectively), but the chasing pack is breathing down their necks.
Just three points behind Frankfurt lie RB Leipzig, who occupy the final qualification position heading into the weekend. The two sides meet on Saturday in what promises to be a pivotal clash.
If Frankfurt were to win, there would be a six-point gap between them. Also, Leipzig would risk being leapfrogged by the sides below them.
Freiburg, sitting fifth on 48 points, are just a point off Leipzig and very much in the mix. Meanwhile, Mainz and Borussia Dortmund – in sixth and seventh respectively – are still alive in the race with 47 and 45 points, but they have zero margin for error with only four games left.
Of all the teams scrapping for top four, Dortmund arguably have the most at stake. The Ruhr Valley giants were finalists in last season’s Champions League, and got to the quarter-finals in this season’s, yet now face the uncomfortable prospect of missing the competition entirely next season.
A trip to Hoffenheim on Saturday offers a chance to keep their hopes flickering, but anything less than a win could end their chance to play among Europe’s elite next season.
Coach Novak has urged the squad to just remain focused on each game.
“It does not matter thinking what can happen on 17 May [season finale]”, he said. “We have to keep doing our homework and focus only on the next game.
“We cannot look at the teams in front of us. We just have to keep winning to put pressure on them.”
