Bundesliga clubs in Europe: Seven teams qualify for the knockout rounds
By Tushar Bahl
Seven Bundesliga teams will be playing European football following the winter break after securing their places in the knockout rounds.
Matchday six of the UEFA Champions League group stage was a memorable one for Bundesliga clubs, as both Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig qualified for the knockout rounds. They will join Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in Monday’s Champions League round of 16 draw.
Eintracht Frankfurt had to do it the hard way, as they came from behind to beat Sporting CP 2-1 away from home. The home side took the lead in the first half through Arthur Gomes, but Daichi Kamada equalised from the penalty spot before Randal Kolo Muani got on the end of Ansgar Knauff’s ball and steered it past the goalkeeper to secure a stunning win for his side.
RB Leipzig claimed a 4-0 win away to Shakhtar Donetsk to secure their place in the round of 16. Bayern Munich maintained their 100% group stage record by dispatching Inter Milan 2-0. While Borussia Dortmund ended their group stage campaign with a 1-1 draw against FC Copenhagen.
Bayer Leverkusen were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League. But a goalless draw against Club Brugge on matchday six helped them finish third in their group and qualify for the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off.
Union Berlin secured a second place finish in their Europa League group after claiming a 1-0 win away to Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday. They will now face one of the third-placed teams from the Champions League group stage in the UEFA Europa League play-off.
SC Freiburg topped their Europa League group and will not need to take part in the play-off as a result. They are through to the round of 16, and will face one of the teams that win the two-legged play-off ties.
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Meanwhile, FC Köln were eliminated from the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday despite a spirited second half comeback against OGC Nice. The Billy Goats came from two goals down to rescue a draw against Lucien Favre’s side. But that wasn’t enough, and they missed out on qualification to the knockout rounds by one point.