The situation for traditional brands of German football is becoming dramatic. Werder Bremen, VfL Wolfsburg, and Borussia Mönchengladbach are sinking into a crisis, realistically approaching the relegation zone. The weekend's Bundesliga clashes also delivered extreme emotions in Heidenheim, where the video assistant referee system made controversial decisions that directly impacted the outcome of the match against VfB Stuttgart, sparking fury in the visitors' camp.

Fall of Traditional Brands

Werder Bremen and Borussia Mönchengladbach are in their deepest crisis in years, genuinely fearing relegation from the Bundesliga.

VAR Controversy in 3:3 Match

The clash between Heidenheim and Stuttgart will be remembered through the prism of refereeing decisions that took a goal away from the visitors in favor of a penalty for the hosts.

Personnel Earthquake in Wolfsburg

Ralf Kellermann is leaving VfL Wolfsburg, heralding a deep restructuring of the sporting structure at the Volkswagen-backed club.

Fan Rebellion in Mönchengladbach

Borussia fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the team's performance, which was met with understanding from Eugen Polanski.

The mood in the historic bastions of German football is nearing panic. Werder Bremen, after a painful defeat to FC St. Pauli, is experiencing a drastic drop in form, which coach Ole Werner described as a 'grotesque' situation. The team from Bremen, like Borussia Mönchengladbach, is losing touch with the safe middle of the table. In Gladbach, sporting director Roland Virkus openly warns that 'time is running out' and the team must start picking up points immediately to avoid relegation. This situation casts a shadow over the future of the coaches, although for the moment their positions still seem secure. An equally tense atmosphere prevails in Wolfsburg, where VfL is grappling with a clear leadership problem. An additional shock for the club is the announced departure of Ralf Kellermann, the long-time architect of successes for the women's section, which ends an era in the history of the 'Wolves'. Meanwhile, in the lower reaches of the table, 1. FC Heidenheim managed to snatch points from favored VfB Stuttgart in a match that ended 3:3. The game was dominated by controversy surrounding the VAR system. The most contentious moment was when the system disallowed a goal for Stuttgart, while simultaneously awarding a penalty to Heidenheim. The Bundesliga, founded in 1963, relied for decades on the stability of major clubs from northern and western Germany. The current crisis of brands like Werder and Gladbach recalls the fall of Hamburger SV in 2018, showing that historical merit does not guarantee a safe place in the top flight. Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirović did not hide his disappointment after the VAR decision that disallowed his goal due to a prior foul by a teammate, which directly translated into a penalty for the opponents. Meanwhile, Heidenheim's coach, Frank Schmidt, maintains stoic calm, claiming that despite the tough fight for staying up, his team's determination allows for belief in success. The Bundesliga is entering a decisive phase where the fate of legendary clubs may be determined not only by footballing skills but also by mental resilience in the face of mounting pressure. „Ich bin die ärmste Sau auf dem Platz.” (I'm the poorest sod on the pitch.) — Ermedin Demirović „In der Tabelle brennt noch Licht im Keller.” (There's still light in the basement of the table.) — Frank Schmidt

Mentioned People

  • Ermedin Demirović — VfB Stuttgart striker, frustrated by VAR decisions in the match against Heidenheim.
  • Frank Schmidt — Long-time coach of 1. FC Heidenheim, optimistic about the fight for survival.
  • Ole Werner — Werder Bremen coach, concerned about his team's form in the fight for survival in the league.