Nobody knows yet whether the relegation games on May 19th and 23rd can be sold all over the world or become a more private event. For example, it could be that a football club from world-famous Berlin meets the even more world-famous Schalke 04, a club that is just as well known to viewers in China, Tierra del Fuego and Vanuatu from Champions League broadcasts as Werder Bremen or VfB Stuttgart.
However, Arminia Bielefeld and Darmstadt 98, traditional clubs with a high emotional value for German league operations – but rather limited cross-continental broadcasting suitability could also meet in those two games that decide on participation in the first Bundesliga.
In the affiliated broadcasting centers of the 206 to 209 interested countries, they will have noted this Bundesliga weekend with professional curiosity. The bad news: The world-famous Borussia Mönchengladbach will no longer be on relegation television after the 2-0 win in Fürth.
The good news: The world will probably be spared the not very entertaining resilience of FC Augsburg. Augsburg is not through yet, as they say in Germany, but it is very close to remaining in the class. Vanuatu will most likely not have to watch Markus Weinzierl on May 19th and 23rd.
A new competition has developed in the Bundesliga five games before the end, possibly as a response to a poor title fight, the result of which has long been known in Munich and Dortmund. A lower league consisting of only three clubs was founded without major formalities and ceremonies. VfB Stuttgart, Arminia Bielefeld and Hertha BSC hold their own championship, according to concise rules suitable for television: The first player may stay in the Bundesliga; the second must play relegation matches against the third in the second division on May 19 and 23; the third accompanies Fürth to the second division and is relegated.
What weighs heavier? The player Kalajdzic or the easier rest of the program?
At first glance, this trill offers a personnel tableau, as known from past seasons. One of the teams at risk is always a fallen great who has wasted money, players, coaches and officials for years (this time: Hertha); a team is also regularly involved for which the relegation battle is not a punishment but simply routine (this time: Bielefeld).
However, the competition is particularly difficult to calculate because there is also an eleven taking part for which there is hardly a pattern: VfB Stuttgart was once a fallen giant, but has come back purified from years of luxury and waste and now almost means it with its sustainable talent model a little bit to Good.
The arguments are on the table in this distinctive three-way battle, but their power of persuasion cannot yet be assessed. The potential of the team and the announced return of striker Kalajdzic, the best player in the relegation battle, speak for Stuttgart; The fact that the city and club know their way around the cellar and feel at home speaks for Bielefeld; the rest of the program speaks for Hertha. The Berliners still play against Augsburg, Stuttgart and Bielefeld – finals that may even arouse interest in China, Tierra del Fuego and Vanuatu.