Little-known rule means Bundesliga side may need to LOSE final match to qualify for Champions League
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT could squeeze into next season’s Champions League by losing their final match.
The Bundesliga is set to send an extra team to Europe’s remodeled elite competition next term thanks to their clubs’ performances across all three Uefa competitions and co-efficient ranking.
That means Germany’s top five teams – that is champions Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Stuttgart, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund – will be in the draw.
Eintracht are currently sixth with 12 points separating them from fifth-placed Dortmund whom they will never overcome as there are only three more matches left in the German top flight.
However, there is still a chance for Dino Toppmoller’s side to join their rivals in the Champions League – but they will need some help from BVB.
Dortmund are currently in the competition’s semi-finals and targeting a place in the final at Wembley after beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the first leg at the Signal Iduna Park.
As per Champions League rules, if Edin Terzic’s men win the competition then they will automatically qualify for next season’s modified tournament.
According to Bundesliga rules, however, if Dortmund win the Champions League and finish fifth in Germany then the sixth-placed team will also be joining all the other five teams in Europe next season.
This is an absolutely crazy scenario but it could help Eintracht do the unthinkable, and what makes this even more insane is that the Bundesliga outfit can help themselves in the most surreal way.
Eintracht host Leipzig in the final day of the campaign and may have to lose to Marco Rose’s side to ensure the Red Bull club finish above Terzic’s side in fourth.
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But that is still a tall order as Leipzig and Dortmund are within touching distance of Stuttgart in third, who still need to gain three points to ensure they finish ahead of the latter.
Plus Eintracht don’t have sixth place sealed yet as Freiburg, Augsburg and Hoffenheim are very close.
If Frankfurt finish sixth then they have Europa League qualification sealed as a worst case scenario.
Toppmoller’s side face Xabi Alonso’s undefeated Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach before taking on Leipzig.
How the Bundesliga can send SIX teams to the Champions League
Germany can send an extra team to next season's Champions League thanks to their clubs' performances across all three Uefa competitions and co-efficient ranking
Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Stuttgart, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund will be playing in next season’s Champions League.
But all five clubs could be joined by the team that finishes sixth in the table.
Eintracht Frankfurt are currently sixth with 12 points separating them from fifth-placed Dortmund whom they can’t overcome as there are only three more matches left in the German top flight.
However, there is still a chance Eintracht can join their rivals in the Champions League – but they will need some help from BVB.
Dortmund are currently in the competition’s semi-finals and targeting a place in the final after beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the first leg at the Signal Iduna Park.
According to Champions League rules, if Edin Terzic’s men win the competition then they will automatically qualify for next season’s modified tournament.
And as per Bundesliga rules, if Dortmund win the Champions League and finish fifth in Germany then the sixth-placed team will also be joining all the other five teams in Europe next season.