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Today’s 0-0 draw with Cologne wasn’t very exciting. The result itself was a disappointment, but there is still a silver-lining to take out of today’s scoreless affair.
The point Dortmund picked up was good enough to secure a Top 4 finish in the Bundesliga this season. And thus, they have qualified for next year’s UEFA Champions League!
Hertha Berlin are currently in 5th place, and now only have an incredibly small chance of overtaking Hoffenheim. They’re destined for Europa League football.
Here’s the table as it stands, with only 3 games to go.
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Even if Hertha won their last 3 games, and Dortmund lost their last 3 games, it still wouldn’t be enough.
But there is still unfinished business to attend to. Thomas Tuchel’s team will be focused on securing a third place finish on the season. The third place team in the Bundesliga qualifies directly for the Group Stage of the Champions League, while fourth place will have to enter the competition a round earlier for a playoff.
Securing a spot in the Champions League may seem like a minor detail for some, but we shouldn’t take it for granted. It was only a couple years ago that we were out of the CL due to finishing seventh in the Bundesliga.
This year’s Champions League exit still stings, but hopefully next year the team will be even more prepared for a deep run in the competition.