Unlike most European leagues, the Bundesliga has a playoff system that decides promotion and relegation. For a second season running, Wolfsburg are battling to avoid the drop, this time against second-division side Kiel.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Steffen
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While most players in the German league system are packing their cases for a summer holiday or a World Cup, there are two clubs whose chances of playing at the top flight next season still hang in the balance.
Since the 2008-09 season, the final spot in the Bundesliga has been determined by a playoff between the team finishing third in the second division and the club sitting 16th (third-bottom) of the top flight. This year it's Holstein Kiel against Wolfsburg, who stayed up last season by beating Eintracht Braunschweig 1-0 in each match of the two-legged contest.
That face-saving win was the fifth successive time the higher-division side has emerged triumphant in the playoff, with Eintracht Frankfurt, Hamburg (twice) and Hoffenheim all clinging on to their status since Hertha Berlin lost theirs to Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2011-12.
In the nine seasons since the re-introduction of the playoff, which has featured intermittently in the fractured history of German football, the second-tier side has been promoted just twice with many German fans and commentators suggesting the discrepancy in finances, and budgets makes for a playing field that's far from level.
Those distinctions are even more acute in this year's playoff games, which will be played in Wolfsburg on Thursday and Kiel on Monday. Bundesliga winners and runners-up in the last decade and victors over Real Madrid in 2016, the Wolves have fallen away in recent years but were still able to splash out more than €10 million ($12 million) on three separate players this term and have a transfer record of €44 million.
Holstein Kiel can reach the Bundesliga for the first timeImage: Getty Images/Bongarts/A. Grimm
By way of contrast, Holstein Kiel's entire squad is valued at less than the €17 million Wolfsburg paid for John Brooks a year ago and their 10,000-capacity Holstein-Stadion is too small for Bundesliga games. Under league regulations, grounds need to have a capacity of at least 15,000, of which 8,000 of those must be seated.
Until Wednesday, it had looked like Kiel would be forced to play next season's home matches somewhere else, if they are promoted. However, to the surpise of many the DFL, the company that operates the Bundesliga, announced that it would allow Kiel to play in their current stadium, based on a pledge that the club would expand the capacity to 15,000 by October.
"We are very happy that the DFL has relented and if it really does happen, we will be able to play at home," Holstein's sporting director, Ralf Becker told the SID news agency.
Wolves finally bare their teeth
In order for that to become a factor, Kiel first have to overcome Bruno Labbadia's side, who finally found their scoring boots in their last game of the regular season, beating already-relegated Cologne 4-1. That was the first time they'd scored more than once in a game since December 3.
“There’s no replacement for victories," said Labaddia, who kept Hamburg up in the playoff in 2014-15.
"You can put in all the work you want, but if you don’t get the results you’re not going to get anywhere. The win and the manner of it has done us good. It’s good that we dealt with the pressure – it was like a cup final. We've got two more finals coming up now, though."
Kiel coach Markus Anfang is only too aware of the importance of these games, but sees his side as the underdogs that they are.
"It's something special, something historic," he said. "It’s possible of course - we're in the competition - and we’ll do everything we can to achieve it."
Last season was their first in the second division in 36 years and another promotion would secure them one of the more unlikely debut seasons in the history of the Bundesliga.
Germany's squad for World Cup 2018
Manuel Neuer made the cut after proving his fitness, while Leroy Sané's omission shocked the footballing world. Here are the 23 players charged with Germany's World Cup title defense in Russia.
Image: Reuters/M. Rehle
Manuel Neuer
Will Germany's best goalkeeper be fit enough to play? Even though Neuer missed most of the season with injury issues, Joachim Löw has brought his captain along in the hope that he recovers.
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International games: 74 / Goals: 0 / World Cup tournaments: 2
Image: picture-alliance/ZB
Marc-André ter Stegen
The Barcelona goalkeeper has been Löw's go-to option with Neuer on the shelf. With Germany's captain back in the fold, ter Stegen may have to make do with the bench, but he could also start while Neuer works on his fitness.
<br/> <br/> International games: 19 / Goals: 0 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: Reuters/G. Dukor
Kevin Trapp
Trapp is the main beneficiary of Neuer's failure to recover. He had an underwhelming season, making just 12 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain and some high profile errors, but he's made the cut, for now. <br/> <br/> International games: 3 / Goals: 0 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/SvenSimon/J. Kuppert
Jerome Boateng
The Bayern Munich man is arguably Germany's best defender, and one of the first names on Löw's teamsheet. But Boateng picked up a thigh injury against Real Madrid in March, casting doubt on whether he will be fit in time for the World Cup.<br/> <br/>International games: 70 / Goals: 1 / World Cup tournaments: 2
Image: picture alliance /Sven Simon
Mats Hummels
Boateng's central defensive partner at club and international level is one of Löw's key men. The question is not whether he is going to start at the World Cup, but who will be starting alongside him. <br/> <br/>International games: 63 / Goals: 5 / World Cup tournaments: 1
Image: picture alliance/sampics/S. Matzke
Antonio Rüdiger
The Chelsea defender evidently has Löw's trust, as proven by his regular playing time during World Cup qualifiers. He will likely be the primary backup to Boateng and Hummels.
<br/> <br/> International games: 23 / Goals: 1 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Becker
Niklas Süle
He had a strong first season at Bayern and has experience playing with both Hummels and Boateng. The 22-year-old is now poised to make his first World Cup squad.
<br/> <br/> International games: 9 / Goals: 0 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/AA/A. Nasyrov
Matthias Ginter
His transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Borussia Mönchengladbach hasn't done Ginter's international chances any harm. The utility man was the youngest squad member of the 2014 team, but didn't play a minute at the tournament. He'll be hoping for more this time, but may also struggle to make the final 23. <br/> <br/> International games: 17 / Goals: 0 / World Cup appearances: 1
Image: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images
Joshua Kimmich
The Bayern defender has not only become Germany's best right back, but one of the best right backs in the world. Löw will need him at his best at the World Cup.
<br/> <br/> International games: 27 / Goals: 3 / World Cup appearances: 0
Image: picture-alliance/GES/T. Eisenhuth
Jonas Hector
He will be playing in the second division next season after Cologne were relegated from the Bundesliga. Before then, Hector is likely to make his World Cup debut as Löw's starting left back.
<br/> <br/> International Games: 36 / Goals: 3 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/Gladys Chai von der Laage
Marvin Plattenhardt
Despite making his international debut at the Confederations Cup last year, the Hertha Berlin man finds himself with a decent chance of travelling to Russia. A set piece specialist, the 26-year-old will be backup for Hector.
<br/> <br/> International Games: 6 / Goals: 0 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/sampics/S. Matzke
Toni Kroos
A metronomic presence, Kroos is expected to run the show in midfield for the defending champions. The Real Madrid midfielder has been an automatic selection for Germany for some time, and could enter the tournament with another Champions League title under his belt.
<br/> <br/> International games: 82 / Goals: 12 / World Cup appearances: 2
Image: picture-alliance/GES/T. Eisenhuth
Sami Khedira
At 31, the Juventus midfielder may no longer be at the height of his powers. But his leadership is what Löw covets most and his commanding presence on the field will, almost certainly, earn him a starting spot.
<br/> <br/> International games: 73 / Goals: 7 / World Cup tournaments: 2
Image: picture alliance/dpa/M. Becker
Sebastian Rudy
He missed out on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2016 European Championship in France. After starting every game at the 2017 Confederations Cup, Rudy is trying to convince Löw to finally bring him to a major tournament. <br/> <br/> International games: 24 / Goals: 1 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture alliance/dpa/GES/M. I. Güngör
Ilkay Gündogan
The Manchester City midfielder is finally fit after missing Germany's last two major tournaments with various injuries. He is another deep-lying playmaker who can make things happen in midfield.<br/> <br/> International games: 24 / Goals: 4 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/GES-Sportfoto
Mesut Özil
The Arsenal midfielder is one of the best playmakers in the world, but has often drawn criticism for a perceived propensity to disappear at the crucial moments. Despite the political furor earlier in the week, he will be one of Löw's primary options in Russia.
<br/> <br/> International games: 89 / Goals: 22 / World Cup tournaments: 2
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/D. Maurer
Thomas Müller
"Müller always plays," former Bayern coach Louis Van Gaal once said. He is not a forward in the conventional sense, but he always seems to find a way to score goals. He has World Cup pedigree too - he won the Golden Boot in 2010 and the Silver Boot in 2014.
<br/> <br/> International games: 90 / Tore: 38 / World Cup tournaments: 2
Image: picture-alliance/S. Simon
Marco Reus
The 29-year-old finally seems set to make his World Cup debut. He just has to get through a training camp in South Tyrol without injuring himself...
<br/> <br/> International goals: 29 / Goals: 9 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/Rauchensteiner
Julian Draxler
Another Löw favorite, Draxler captained Germany at the Confederations Cup last year. After not getting the playing time he craved at Paris Saint-Germain this term, Draxler is looking to seize his opportunity at international level.
<br/> <br/> International games: 42 / Goals: 6 / World Cup tournaments: 1
Image: picture-alliance/GES/M. I. Güngör
Leon Goretzka
The soon-to-be Bayern midfielder followed up his impressive Confederations Cup showing with a strong season for Schalke. However, he's likely to be back on the bench with Germany's stars back in the fold.
<br/> <br/> International games: 14 / Goals: 6 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Probst
Julian Brandt
The 22-year-old winger took on more responsibility at Leverkusen this season. Now he's aiming to cement his place in Löw's squad for years to come.
<br/> <br/> International games: 14 / Goals: 1 / World Cup tournaments: 0
The Leipzig forward is small, quick and explosive — unlike most of Germany's other striking options. The 22-year-old is likely Löw's first choice up front after winning the Golden Boot at last year's Confederations Cup.
<br/> <br/> International games: 12 / Goals: 7 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/GES/M. Ibo
Mario Gomez
The Stuttgart forward has fallen down the pecking order since his terrific performance at Euro 2016. Even at 32, he is still one of Germany's most prolific goal scorers, but he has to be in tip-top shape in order to convince Löw to take him to Russia.
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International games: 73 / Goals: 31 / World Cup tournaments: 1
