Fortuna Düsseldorf fights for the relegation: tension until the last game!

Fortuna Düsseldorf fights for the relegation: tension until the last game!

On May 5, 2025, Fortuna Düsseldorf is facing a crucial phase of the season. The team strives to achieve the relegation to the Bundesliga similar to the previous year. This requires a strong conclusion of the remaining two games against Schalke on May 13th at 1 p.m. and against Magdeburg on May 18 at 3:30 p.m. At the same time, the competition from Elversberg and Paderborn has to leave points in order to protect Düsseldorf's hopes for third place.

This season Fortuna Düsseldorf has already achieved three draws in a row, which further increases the urgency of a victory. Sports director Christian Weber demands that the players show their performance right from the start, while coach Daniel Thioune has difficulty calling up a constant performance over the entire season. Weber emphasizes the current danger to the team to have nothing more and continue to hope for third place or better. It is particularly noteworthy that Düsseldorf has already caught up nine residues this season, which indicates a remarkable fighting spirit. Weber sees the opportunity to end the season positively and calls the players to give everything.

relegation as a possibility to return to the Bundesliga

The relegation to the Bundesliga has been an integral part of German football since 1982. Düsseldorf is one of the few teams who were able to achieve the promotion as a second division - the last time this was the case against Hertha BSC in 2012. In the last 15 duels of the relegation, the Bundesliga team has prevailed in 12 cases, which corresponds to a quota of 80 percent. This illustrates the challenges that are in front of Düsseldorf, you should reach third place.

The current relegation game (2024) is the fourth pure NRW duel in the history of the relegation parties. Historically, other NRW teams also fought in the relegation, such as Bayer Uerdingen and FC Schalke 04. Uerdingen prevailed against Schalke in 1983, while Fortuna Cologne left Borussia Dortmund in 1986, weakened by a gastrointestinal virus in the squad. The relegation also offers a team like Düsseldorf a chance to play back to the Bundesliga, which was able to prevent relegation in the previous season.

rules and statistics of the relegation

Since 2008/09 there have been two games between the third last team in the Bundesliga and the third -placed team in the 2nd Bundesliga. This definition ensures that the last place in the Bundesliga and the last chance of the 1st division are decided. In 16 relegation rounds, 13 out of 16 of these rounds ended in favor of the first division club. Second division teams usually find it difficult to assert themselves, which underlines the challenges of Fortuna Düsseldorf.

Despite the difficulties that an increase brings, this is often seen as a test for the competitiveness of the second division club. The discussion about alternatives to relegation, such as an increase in the Bundesliga to 20 teams, shows that opinions about the system are shared. In addition, the income from relegation games flows into the health insurers of the clubs and play an important role in financial balance.

With a solid performance in the last two games, Fortuna Düsseldorf could again get the chance to prove themselves in the Bundesliga and to master the challenges of the relegation. The players are faced with the task of fulfilling the pressing expectations and mobilizing all forces to bring about a positive turn.