German Football / Jonathan Wilson / 14 May 2009 / Leave a comment

Jonathan Wilson discusses the impact of Felix Magath's announcement that he will be leaving Wolfsburg at the end of the season for Schalke as the closest-run league in Europe promises to go to the wire.

And so the most fascinating title race in Europe has taken another twist. Discussing Shakhtar Donetsk's resurgence in form here a couple of weeks ago, I pointed out that the expectation of a manager's departure doesn't necessarily lead to a slump. Sometimes, though, it does, as Wolfsburg have discovered all too painfully.

They had won ten in a row before a defeat away to Energie Cottbus, but they seemed back on track as they hammered the early pacesetters Hoffenheim. But then their coach, Felix Magath, behind whose unblinking glasses Wolfsburg campaign has been planned, confirmed that
he will leave the club in the summer to take over at Schalke 04. Perhaps it is understandable that he has been attracted by their better resources - not least in terms of his own salary, but it doesn't change the sense of betrayal felt by Wolfsburg. A banner decrying him as a "mercenary" was perhaps the most repeatable of a recent demonstration against his decision.

The timing could hardly have been worse, coming immediately before a tough away game at Stuttgart, who have lost just once since going down 4-1 at Wolfsburg in November. Stuttgart exacted precise revenge, winning 4-1 and achieving the seemingly impossible: making the
Bundesliga title race even more open. With two games remaining, the top four sides are separated by only two points, and everybody seems susceptible to nerves.

A 3-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday - just as Dortmund had begun to look like that they might be title contenders - may have steadied the Wolfsburg ship (they are [2.62] to win the title), but with Bayern Munich ([2.36] favourites to be champions) following up Saturday's 3-1 victory at Cottbus with a 3-0 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen - life without the sacked Jurgen Klinsmann evidently suits them - Wolfsburg top the table only on goal difference.

And as Magath's side and his former side have taken centre-stage, so Lucien Favre's unspectacular but effective Hertha Berlin, back under the radar where they prefer to be, have sneaked back into contention (and are [7.6] to win the title), winning four of their last five games
to move to within a point of the top. "This is the chance of our lives," said the Croatian defender Joe Simunic. Home to Schalke and away to Karlsruhe in their final two games, their run-in is no harder than that of Wolfsburg, and certainly easier than Bayern's. How they
must rue the three straight defeats they suffered after hitting the top of the table in March.

Stuttgart themselves are a point further back, after Ciprian Marica's winner gave them an edgy 2-1 victory away to Schalke on Wednesday. Inspired by the passing of Cacau, the engine of the former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, and an improbable 23 goals from Mario
Gomez - much-mocked after some hapless performances in Euro 2008, but very evidently back in form now - they have won seven of the last eight, and seem to have the momentum with them [13 to win the title], and it could be that their meeting with Bayern on the final day of the
season decides the title.

First, though, there is this weekend's round of games - an intriguing set of fixtures that in themselves would probably arouse little fascination, but which in context are fascinating. Wolfsburg travel to Hannover [Wolfsburg 1.7 to win], who sit dully in mid-table, but are unbeaten in four and are considerably better at home than they are away.

Bayern go to Hoffenheim (and are [1.62] to win), who have slid to seventh, but who are, tantalisingly, showing flickerings of form. Having gone 12 games without a win, Ralf Rangnick's side have won their last two. They were unlucky to lose 2-1 to Bayern back in
December, when tensions flared between the aristocrats and the nouveaux riches; scuppering Bayern's title hopes would be a fine way to salvage something from the end of what has become a disappointing season.

Stuttgart, meanwhile, before their trip to Munich, host Energie Cottbus (Stuttgart are [1.33] to win), who lie second bottom and although desperately fighting relegation ([1.4] to go down), have won just twice away all season. All four contenders can realistically expect to win - and fascinatingly Bayern, the most experienced in this situation, have the hardest task - which should mean a spectacular final day.