Matchday 32 - Darmstadt Relegated

The clock struck midnight for Cinderella, as Darmstadt 98 lost their Matchday 32 contest to Bayern Munich, 1-0. With the loss, at 24 points at the bottom of the top division standings and only two games left to play, Darmstadt has been relegated to Bundesliga 2 for next season. Ingolstadt fought Bayer Leverkusen to a draw, 1-1. Their hopes of remaining in the top division are still alive – barely. Hamburg and Mainz, both sitting three points ahead of Ingolstadt, play each other tomorrow. The winner of that match can breathe a little easier, while the loser not so much. FC Augsburg and VfL Wolfsburg, both at 36 points, aren’t out of the woods yet.

Here is the remaining schedule for the teams still on the relegation bubble:

Ingolstadt (30) – #8 SC Freiburg (A), #10 FC Schalke (H)

Hamburg (33) – #10 FC Schalke (A), #9 Borussia Mönchengladbach (H)

Mainz (33) – #11 Eintracht Frankfurt (H), #6 FC Köln (A)

FC Augsburg (36) – #3 Borussia Dortmund (H), #4 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (A)

VfL Wolfsburg (36) – #9 Borussia Mönchengladbach (H), #16 Hamburg (A)

The remaining schedule for those looking to be promoted to the first division:

VfB Stuttgart (66) - #2 Hannover 96 (A), #16 FC Würzburger

Hannover 96 (63) - #1 VfB Stuttgart (H), #11 SV Sandhausen

Eintracht Braunschweig (60) – #17 DSC Arminia (A), #18 Karlsruher (H)

FC Union Berlin (57) - #9 1. FC Heidenheim (H), #6 SpVgg Greutherfürth

As things stand now, Eintracht Braunschweig are playing two teams headed for relegation to third-division 3. Liga. Unless something disastrous happens, the worst that could happen is Braunschweig will be in the top division relegation playoff against the third-worst finisher. My crystal ball says that will be FC Augsburg.

There are two weeks to go in the Bundesliga season. It won’t be dull.