by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The revamped UEFA Champions League format has highlighted struggles among German clubs, with only Borussia Dortmund currently positioned to secure a direct berth in the knockout stage.
With four games remaining in the group stage, Bayern Munich (17th) and reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen (13th) still have pathways into the playoffs, but VfB Stuttgart (27th) and RB Leipzig (32nd) are at risk of early exits.
Clubs ranked from 9th to 24th will battle for knockout entry in February's playoff round, while those from 25th to 36th face elimination after January's final group matches.
The top rank currently features two English clubs (Liverpool, Aston Villa), two from France (Monaco, Brest), along with Dortmund, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Sporting Lisbon. By contrast, most German teams face significant hurdles. Stuttgart, adjusting to the demands of continental competition, are struggling with squad rotation, while Leipzig's unbalanced roster has faltered in Europe.
Meanwhile, Bayern and Leverkusen hold onto their playoff ambitions, despite pressure to overcome early losses, such as Bayern's 5-2 defeat to Barcelona and Leverkusen's 4-0 setback at Liverpool, underscoring a long-standing challenge for German clubs at Anfield, with 15 defeats from 19 matches.
Nevertheless, Bayern's 1-0 win over Benfica has kept spirits high in Munich, where sporting director Christoph Freund emphasized the importance of winning "every remaining game." Despite Leverkusen's recent struggles, coach Xabi Alonso remains hopeful of advancing. Former Bayern boss Uli Hoeness also echoed optimism, advising patience and downplaying any urgency for panic as Bayern's Bundesliga form remains dominant.
For Dortmund, holding a knockout spot offers a rare moment of positivity amid a rocky season. Injuries, a lack of leadership, and their recent 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid have compounded internal challenges. However, Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy's nomination for African Footballer of the Year is a bright spot in Dortmund's inconsistent campaign under coach Nuri Sahin.
Looking to the November fixtures, Bayern's clash with Paris Saint-Germain and Leipzig's underdog meeting with Inter Milan could determine German clubs' progress.
Stuttgart's matchup with Red Star Belgrade and Leverkusen's game against Red Bull Salzburg are equally crucial, while Dortmund will aim to maintain their form against Dinamo Zagreb.
Each of these encounters is pivotal, as Germany's clubs push to recapture stability in both domestic and European play amid mounting challenges and expectations. ■
