FC Bayern has presented itself quite laboriously in the title race. Now the three pursuers from Leipzig, Dortmund and Mönchengladbach have to follow suit. In Berlin, Hertha could overtake the local rival again.
Berlin (AP) - After the 3-2 of Bayern Munich against SC Paderborn, the record champion has a four-point cushion on RB Leipzig and even seven points ahead of Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The chasing trio wants to narrow the gap to the leaders again on Saturday. The 23rd matchday of the Bundesliga also has a socio-political component.
SIGNS AGAINST RACISM: Football sets an example against racism and exclusion. With minutes of silence and black ribbon, all Bundesliga clubs express their mourning over the weekend for the victims of the allegedly right-wing motivated attack in Hanau. International player Marco Reus had expressed his horror with clear words. "No goal, no victory, no title in football means to me as much as an open and peaceful society," said the captain of Borussia Dortmund to the news portal "t-online.de".
PERSON I: RB Leipzig wants to achieve the first away win in the Bundesliga this year with the swing of a 1-0 win in the first knockout round of the Champions League at Tottenham Hotspur. "Schalke is generally a team that plays with a very high intensity. They defend well, are stable in the duels and are very strong in sprints," said RB coach Julian Nagelsmann before the game in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday (6.30pm / Sky). After all, the Leipzig team did not concede three goals lately.
PERSON II: Borussia Dortmund also gained new confidence in the 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain. Sports director Michael Zorc sharpened the senses after the fluctuating performances this season but immediately after the moment of happiness against the French: "Bremen is more important than the game today." BVB also has an invoice against Werder after the cup has been withdrawn earlier this month. On Saturday (3:30 p.m. / Sky), the focus will of course be again on striker Erling Haaland and Emre Can, who has been brought up as a fighting stabilizer.
PERSON III: After the Europa League exit in December, Borussia Mönchengladbach was the only team in the chasing trio to have no play during the week. With one game less completed, the Gladbachers continue to feel at home in the unchanged role as a much underestimated title candidate. Striker Alassane Pléa returns after a yellow card suspension against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. / Sky). Caution: Last there were three draws against the opponent from the Kraichgau in series.
DISTANCE: Far from all title dreams, Hertha BSC's first home game after coach Jürgen Klinsmann's resignation is about important points in the relegation battle. Head coach Alexander Nouri will hardly pull out his cell phone from the bank to film the fan curve like his former boss. Against 1. FC Köln - one of Berlin's favorite opponents - Hertha may be able to extend the gap to the hot relegation zone to twelve points on Saturday (3:30 p.m. / Sky), keep the direct pursuer at a distance and also overtake the local rival Union, which is only on Monday (8.30 p.m. / DAZN) at Eintracht Frankfurt.
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