How have the Bundesliga teams fared in Europe so far?

Seven clubs entered the UEFA Champions League and Europa League competitions, six will be playing in the spring in the knockout phases of each competition.

How did each fare and what is to be expected?

Bayern Munich

The five-time winners were drawn with the runners-up Tottenham Hotspur, 1991 champions Red Star Belgrade, and Olympiacos and everyone had this pegged as a straightforward trip to the knockout phase.

It had many changes and twists and turns along the way as the Bavarians recorded an impressive 18 points from their six matches, a feat never accomplished.

The highlight was the victory in London over Spurs by a 7-2 scoreline. Robert Lewandowski was of the individual stand-out, scoring 10 goals in the five matches played, averaging two goals a game.

This is to be expected by Bayern and what they will be judged on, Europe wise, will be their progress in the knockout phase.

Next opponent:  Chelsea

RB Leipzig

In their second season of UEFA Champions League action, the Saxony club showed what experience in both competitions can equate to if you have a good squad and a bit of luck.

Most memorable will be the extremely late way in which they drew with Benfica after being down 2-0 going into the 90th minute. Results like this will do well for the squad development as well as that of the coach.

Julian Naglesmann had two seasons of the UEFA competition but each time failed to finish top two in the group. This will be seen as a major coup for the manager.

The most important take away is that RB Leipzig reached the pay-dirt of Europe where all the big fish feed on the big money that the Champions League has available to only those who are in the top eschalon.

Next opponent: Tottenham Hotspur

Borussia Dortmund

The Black and Yellow got the hardest group one could imagine. Barcelona and Inter Milan were the heavy hitting opposition and yet you had plucky Slavia Prague who could take points off of any team.

Dortmund’s break through moment was home to Inter. They found themselves behind 2-0 and made an epic comeback to make things 2-2.

Dortmund will see their progress as merely what is expected of a club of their stature and with the draw that has come out then there will be a chance for more surprises this season, but knockout progress helps fund the incoming summer transfers.

Next opponent: Paris-St. Germain

Bayer Leverkusen

After a considerably embarrassing start to their Champions League group, Leverkusen, with a group that included Juventus and Atletico Madrid, went from finishing fourth to nearly reach the knockout round of the Champions League.

For Petr Bosz and company, participation in the Champions League was a strong test, but the bigger challenge will be the next phase as they go into the Europa League knockout phase which while not as flush with cash. or as prestigious, is the sort of test that they will use as a measuring stick against their own.

Next opponent: FC Porto

Wolfsburg

After a few seasons out of the European picture, the Wolves undertook a very difficult Europa League group with Ligue 1 side St Etienne and Juniper League side Gent with Ukranian Oleskandriya.

A rather tricky group, but one that Wolfsburg was able to navigate. For them, the next step of progress within the Europa League will be the judge if the Wolves will be good in balancing the Bundesliga and Europe as well.

Next opponent: Malmo FF

Eintracht Frankfurt

Last seasons semi-finalists found another tricky group as they entertained Arsenal, Victoria Guimeres, and Standard Liege; but here experience would hold true.

For Frankfurt, their previous experience did them well as they were able to weather a few rough patches. If not for the way that the final matches went down, the Eagles would have been out in the cold and now in the knockout phase they have another opportunity to test themselves.

Next opponent: FC Salzburg

Borussia Monchengladbach

The Foals returned to the top end of the Bundesliga in the league, but in Europe with Wolfsberger of Austria, Roma of Italy, Istanbul Basaksehir of Turkey; their return to Europe was not as good as planned.

Embarrassing home form meant they recorded three points from three matches, eventually leaving the Foals to finish last in the group.

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