Bundesliga Fan Scene: Three of nine fixtures sell out in week 31
The "Weekend Attendance Figures" Bulinews feature returns with another report on the goings-on inside the top flight footballing venues of the Bundesrepublik.
There's much to discuss following yet another (one remarks gratefully) round of full-capacity attendance in Germany.
Strong attendance figures across the Bundesrepublik this weekend, with three Bundesliga stadia (Bayern, Köln, and Freiburg) selling out. Frankfurt and Leipzig came very close in the upper 90 percent range. Hertha and Bochum came in just over 85 percent while Wolfsburg and Fürth were down in the 60s.
There's much to discuss following yet another (one remarks gratefully) round of full-capacity attendance in Germany.
Without exception, each home crowd delivered the authentic German fan atmosphere on what was (in some parts) a rainy, yet warm spring day. Our "Weekend Attendance Figures" feature takes your around the grounds for thoughts on fans and their clubs after another top flight weekend of German football.
FSV Mainz 05 (at) VfL Wolfsburg
Attendance = 30,000 (63.5%)
Not. Even. Close. Of course not. It is the "Autostadt", after all. Readers of this column know all about the situation in the "company town". Column regulars also know that the what VfL ultras do turn up to the stadium are generally a lively, good natured, and uniquely funny lot.
Attending a Wolfsburg home fixture remains something recommended for those looking to check out the Bundesliga cathedrals. Just don't expect the seats to be full, and remember gravitate over to the fan Kurve as soon you can.
💚#WOBM05 #VfLWolfsburg pic.twitter.com/WlcxM8mCly
— VfL Wolfsburg (@VfL_Wolfsburg) April 22, 2022
FC Union Berlin (at) RB Leipzig
Attendance = 45,770 (97.2%)
Great support from fans of both clubs. One wonders if some of the Union ultras even went back to Köpenick after Wednesday's cup semi-final. Perhaps some of them simply opted to take an extended holiday in the "Linden Stadt". It's a nice city and (still) a cheap visit.
Many German football lovers, in the continuing quest to accept the rise of the German RB affiliate, are hoping that a rivalry develops between Leipzig and the FCU. Naturally, it can't have all the historical connotations of a real "East German Rivalry" since the Red Bulls were founded well after die Wende.
We can't even seem to get those rivalries back in the second division either. Every year, the clubs keep missing one another. Same story this year. Magdeburg up. Dynamo Dresden and Erzgebirge Aue down. Oh well. At least Saturday's game helped increase tension between these two.
Danke an 45.770 Fans in unserer #RedBullArena 🏟️#Bundesliga-Rekord in Leipzig 🔥#RBLFCU #WirSindLeipzig 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/6WzR1adpGJ
— RB Leipzig (@RBLeipzig) April 23, 2022
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (at) Eintracht Frankfurt
Attendance = 50,500 (99.0%)
Oh, confound it now. Really? Just 500 seats short? C'mon denizens of the Bundesrepublik's financial capital! Pack the house for "Germany's team!" The SGE could have given those tickets away to some charitable organizations if need be.
On some more serious notes, this is actually a rather impressive total for a club preparing to host another Europa League match. Additionally, the SGE did give plenty of tickets away to charitable organizations. They always do.
The entire country prepares to cheer on "our lads" against West Ham on Thursday.
Anyone for a little historical context from the 1976 Cup Winners' Cup semis?
🔙🧐 Halbfinale im Pokal der Pokalsieger im Jahr 1976: @WestHam 🆚 Eintracht!
— Eintracht Frankfurt (@Eintracht) April 25, 2022
💬 „Ich würde am liebsten meine Fußballschuhe mitnehmen. Unsere Jungs müssen die Rechnung begleichen."
Ein Rückblick mit Charly Körbel ⤵️#SGEuropa #WHUSGE https://t.co/XxVo4lQMOo
Borussia Mönchengladbach (at) SC Freiburg
Attendance = 34,700 (sold out)
Thankfully, as many people as possible saw this gem of a match live. The always enjoyable SCF ultras also kept it straightforward and clear cut with their Saturday banner. Just "keep up the uncommonly good work", Breisgauer. It doesn't really matter which European club competition you qualify for.
It's all good. Any one will do.
Das bringt’s ganz gut auf den Punkt 🙂 pic.twitter.com/vEGzW5WqWh
— SC Freiburg (@scfreiburg) April 23, 2022
Arminia Bielefeld (at) 1. FC Köln
Attendance = 50,000 (sold out)
The RheinEnergie rocked and swayed as usual. Everyone had a good time. Cult striker Anthony Modeste may have too good of one if certain sources are to be believed. Sigh. To reiterate the commentary espoused in the tactics column, these "certain sources" really need to learn to shut their mouthes sometimes.
Let Modeste have his fun while he still can. By the way, cathedral city: You're welcome. If you qualify for Europe, you've Modeste to thank for it. Bear that in mind when, after he's gone, you're back contesting the relegation race next year. Baumgart flat caps won't be worth so much then.
🤓 17. Saisontor für @amodeste27 in der @Bundesliga_DE! #effzeh pic.twitter.com/qavPlqP8re
— 1. FC Köln (@fckoeln) April 24, 2022
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (at) SpVgg Greuther Fürth
Attendance = 11,579 (69.6%)
Only one more home game left at the Ronhof before the officially confirmed drop into the lower division takes place. We should see a sell out (possibly even a win) when the Dortmund reserves come to town on May 7th. Nice getting to know you, Kleeblatt boosters. Pleasant journey!
Gänsehaut pur!
— SPVGG GREUTHER FÜRTH (@kleeblattfuerth) April 24, 2022
Einfach unglaublich in diesem bitteren Moment.
Wir sind froh und stolz DIESE Fans zu haben!
🙏☘️🙏☘️🙏☘️#kleeblatt pic.twitter.com/GAtB2xJhhh
Borussia Dortmund (at) FC Bayern München
Attendance = 75,000 (sold out)
Every last seat filled. Beautiful. All German Football lovers will agree. The question as to whether Bundesliga watchers find themselves disinterested in the league following Bayern's tenth straight title is actually a rather silly one when considered in the context of current events.
Recall that it had been three long years since we witnessed Bayern clinch a title in front of live spectators. We're fine. Seriously. It's all good.
🎶 FC BAYERN FOREVER NUMBER ONE ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/edmaPa3wYu
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) April 23, 2022
FC Augsburg (at) VfL Bochum
Attendance = 23,500 (85.1%)
Well short of a sell out the Ruhrstadion courtesy of the fact that the Augsburg traveling fan contingent didn't make use of their ticket allotment and the local fans didn't make up the difference. Those who opted to do something else with their Sunday afternoon likely felt vindicated as they didn't miss out on a great match from the home side.
At least the "beer showers" remained in Munich this time. The fans also applauded their team off rather than, like some of the Hertha Assis, demanding to have jerseys placed at their feet. More on that below.
Kein einziger Pfiff nach Spielende, grandiose Leistung wieder auf den Rängen!👏 Mannschaft und Fans 🤝
— VfL Bochum 1848 (@VfLBochum1848eV) April 24, 2022
Nächste Woche der nächste gemeinsame Anlauf!💪#meinVfL #BOCFCA 0:2 pic.twitter.com/sfylzCA0Ve
VfB Stuttgart (at) Hertha BSC
Attendance = 54,589 (85.1%)
Actually a very good crowd for the Olympiastadion. Those interested in the state of the club-fan relationship in the Charllotenburg quarter of the country's capital some two weeks after the famous "lay down your tricot" won't be surprised to learn that the team opted not to visit the fan Kurve after Sunday evening's victory.
That's absolutely the correct decision from the lads. As pleasant as the fan support was this weekend, the players still need their space for a while. In time, trust can be rebuilt. A reunion will come at some point, possibly before the end of the season. Distance should hold for now.
Thanks so much for reading!
You can occasionally catch Peter on twitter, @ViceytheSS.
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All columns debut on Bulinews before appearing on Peter's website later in the week.