Several clubs a jostling for European qualification, including last season's runners-up VfB Stuttgart.

bundesliga

All aboard for the race for Europe

02.01.2025

With a significant part of the season already played out, the Bundesliga table is beginning to take shape and those hoping to grab a European spot are jostling for position behind the division leaders. bundesliga.com assesses the chances of all concerned...

Werder Bremen
Position: 7th
Points: 25 (15 games)
Goals: 26-25 (+1)

The Green-Whites are reviving memories of glories past this season and not least for boasting an away record that is bettered only by Bayern Munich. Picking up two more wins on their travels contained within a hat-trick of Bundesliga victories to see out 2024, Ole Werner's side are enjoying their finest form in 13 years. With Jens Stage and Marvin Ducksch on song, Werder are currently on course to better their ninth-place finish last season.

Borussia Mönchengladbach
Position: 8th
Points: 24 (15 games)
Goals: 25-20 (+5)

The Foals came worryingly close to a relegation play-off at the end of 2023/24 but, thanks in large part to the arrival of super striker Tim Kleindienst, Gerardo Seoane's side look far better equipped for a European push this time around. A test of Gladbach's ambitions awaits after the restart with record champions Bayern visiting Borussia-Park, yet knowing that no other side has historically taken more points from the Bavarian giants will raise hopes of a home triumph.

Watch: Tim Kleindienst - late into the limelight

Freiburg
Position: 9th
Points: 24 (15 games)
Goals: 21-24 (-3)

With the Christian Streich era consigned to fond Freiburg memories, Julian Schuster is now hoping to plot a path to European competition for the Black Forest side. Some heavy losses to the division's big guns haven't shaken confidence and the Bundesliga's southernmost club are nearing a best points tally at home in the first-half of a season for 21 years. Involved in 11 of Freiburg's 21 goals this season, Vincenzo Grifo is still the ace in Freiburg's pack.

Stuttgart
Position: 10th
Points: 23 (15 games)
Goals: 29-25 (+4)

Combining UEFA Champions League football with domestic competition has not been easy for a team that lost the likes of top scorer Serhou Guirassy and defensive stalwart Waldemar Anton last season. Given that VfB are eight points worse off than at the same stage last term, ambitions may have shifted but Sebastian Hoeneß's side will not sway from their attractive, risk-filled football as they take aim at qualifying for Europe once more. Stuttgart were, after all, the third-best ranked Bundesliga team overall in 2024.

Vincenzo Grifo (l.) and Lucas Höler are pointing the way to Europe for Freiburg. - IMAGO/Arne Amberg

Wolfsburg
Position: 11th
Points: 21 (15 games)
Goals: 32-28 (+4)

The Wolves know how to put a good run together at the right time, with Ralph Hasenhüttl's side recently climbing to fifth place after winning four in a row as part of a six-game unbeaten streak. Things then tapered off somewhat before the winter break. However, with European goals part of the 2024/25 Wolfsburg package and Jonas Wind and Mohamed Amoura inspiring at the Volkswagen Arena, expect the side from Lower Saxony to be right in the mix come the season's end.