Despite FC Bayern’s embarrassing defeat, there is boredom in the championship fight. Do only playoffs help, which are once again the subject of lively discussion in the league?
Everyone is open to discussions, but most are rather skeptical about implementation. Opinions are divided in the heated debate about master playoffs in German football. “It’s not really my thing. I like football the way it is. I don’t even know how to organize it,” said Borussia Dortmund coach Marco Rose.
Are playoffs the last chance for the Bundesliga? Watch the exciting exchange of blows in the video here.
t-online columnist Stefan Effenberg, on the other hand, sees it differently and put forward the following thesis that which was discussed intensively in the “double pass” on Sport 1 yesterday: “Finally there is momentum in the playoffs. After even Bayern have set an example, the Bundesliga can no longer avoid it. A viable concept is now needed.”
There were even two signs of Bavaria. After CEO Oliver Kahn, coach Julian Nagelsmann was also open: “If smart people decide that playoffs have added value because more games can be broadcast because there is more excitement, then I’m the last one to close my mind to it. “
That leads to the question:
Are playoffs the last chance for the Bundesliga?
Robert Hiersmann
Head of Football and Sports
Pro
Yes, because we lack the tension
Everything is so clear at the top of the league that it almost hurts. Even a 4-2 swatter in Bochum is no longer a problem for the record champions – Bayern still have a six-point lead over BVB. And that’s why we urgently need the new game mode. This is the last chance. Because we lack the tension in the championship fight. If it continues like this, the league system will abolish itself. Because without an interesting title race, a football league is worth nothing in the long run.
Bayern’s strength endangers everyone – without them wanting it themselves. What are they supposed to do? Lose on purpose?
The problem with the current mode: After 34 matchdays, the best team always prevails in the end. So Bavaria. And if it is then so much stronger than the rest, the champion is often determined shortly after the winter break. This is poison for the Bundesliga. A playoff mode, on the other hand, creates a cup atmosphere for the season finale.
Of course, FCB will usually prevail, but it’s no longer certain. The best example of this is the current DFB Cup season. The top clubs have already been eliminated, weaker teams are fighting for the title. This is what we as football fans want to experience.
Florian Wichert
Deputy Editor in Chief
Against
No, the problem lies deeper
The championship fight in the Bundesliga is boring. So let’s talk about reforms. But please not only about playoffs.
Because: If there are playoffs at the end of the season, nobody is interested in the regular season anymore. It degenerates into a preliminary skirmish – as is the case in ice hockey.
To date, the championship is considered the most honest title, as the team that was the best over a year and 34 games wins. Playoffs would take the honesty out of the championship. And what if Bayern becomes champion every year despite the playoffs? Or at least in nine out of ten years?
No wonder, because the problem actually lies deeper. The distribution of TV money makes fair competition almost impossible.
Therefore only two ways are expedient. First: distribute the TV money differently and accept that Paris and Manchester City are laughing at each other about the Bundesliga teams. Second: send Bayern into a new Super League and thus take them out of the Bundesliga.
By the way: The otherwise very exciting league is far away from a last chance. Any dominance will be broken at some point, most recently the former superior teams Juventus, Celtic Glasgow and Paris, who did not become champions in 2021 after a long series.
Who is right?
In “Duel of the Week”, Florian Wichert (Deputy Editor-in-Chief at t-online) and Robert Hiersemann (Head of Soccer and Sport) comment on current soccer topics on a weekly basis. Watch the format in the video above or from 9 p.m. on free TV as part of “Bundesliga Analysis” on Sport 1.
