Seven Bundesliga teams for Europe

The arrival of record winners Bayern Munich and defending champions VfB Stuttgart in the DFB Cup final has a direct impact on the distribution of German European Cup places. With the final match between the German champions and the fourth-placed team on May 23rd, it is now definitely certain that the seventh-placed team in the Bundesliga will also be in international business next season.

The background is that FC Bayern, as champions, are already definitely qualified for the Champions League and Stuttgart are also already qualified for the European Cup via the league. This means that the Europa League place, which would go to the cup winner for success in Berlin, goes back to the league. The fifth and sixth, currently Hoffenheim and Leverkusen, play in the Europa League, the seventh in the Conference League. This position is currently occupied by SC Freiburg, who lost to VfB in the cup semi-final on Thursday 1-2 after extra time. Only one point behind the Breisgauers, Eintracht Frankfurt again has a realistic chance of winning the European Cup.

And there can be even more places. In addition to the four fixed Champions League starters, the Bundesliga has another place in the UEFA season rankings. To do this, Germany would have to overtake the Spaniards, who are just ahead of them in second place. And if SC Freiburg also wins the Europa League and does not qualify for an international competition through the league, ninth place would still be possible. As Europa League winners, the Breisgauers, who will meet Sporting Braga in the semi-finals, should then play in the premier class.