Berlin (dpa) - On the 31st match day, the first trend-setting decisions could be made in the Bundesliga.
Bayern could already be champions, SC Paderborn could be the first relegated player. A particularly explosive duel is pending in East Westphalia. The league talks about this this weekend:
NAGELSMANN RETURN: It's a special game for Julian Nagelsmann, he admits it very openly. When he returned to the TSG Hoffenheim stadium with RB Leipzig, many memories that had not yet faded were awakened. After three and a half years, Nagelsmann had left Kraichgau in the direction of Saxony last summer. Despite the joy of reunion with many friends: he does not want to leave the three points as a guest gift. RB needs them even in the fight for the Champions League spots.
ALREADY CHAMPIONSHIP? If Borussia Dortmund loses three hours before FC Bayern's game at Fortuna Düsseldorf, the Munich team can already make the first championship perfect for Hansi Flick against Gladbach. This is not how the record champions count. "We need two more wins, we are all aware and clear. We want to bring them in as quickly as possible," said Coach Flick. He has to do without his offensive guarantors Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller against Mönchengladbach on Saturday.
DESCENT? The descent of SC Paderborn could already be sealed this weekend. Fortuna Dusseldorf would have to win against Borussia Dortmund and the SCP would either lose against Werder Bremen or draw. Werder still has chances after the game, but a win would also be extremely important for the penultimate. The game could also be special for Paderborn's midfielder Klaus Gjasula. If the midfielder sees the yellow card again, he would be the sole Bundesliga record holder with 17 cautions in one season.
RECORDS: Arch-rivals FC Schalke and Borussia Dortmund are also going different ways this season. How far both district clubs are currently apart could become clear on the weekend. If Schalke does not succeed on Sunday in a duel with Leverkusen, it would be the 13th game in a row without a win. This would surpass the negative record from the 1993/94 season. BVB, on the other hand, could ensure a positive record. Only two goals are missing to improve the previous season record from 2015/16 (82 goals).
REQUIRED MASKING DUTIES: For the first time since the restart after the Corona break, players, coaches and referees no longer have to wear mouth and nose protection on the sidelines. At least "as soon as they have taken their seats at a distance of at least 1.5 meters from the next person," said the DFL and DFB. The exemption from the mask requirement applies to club staff in the technical zone and the fourth official. Another change in detail is the increase in the number of approved journalists who report from the stadium alongside the rights holders from 13 to 26.
Table soccer Bundesliga