After the intense battles over promotion and relegation across Europe’s top five leagues in recent seasons, new divisions have formed and the landscape has shifted. By mid-2022, fresh candidates emerged for both exiting and rising through the ranks, and the momentum carried into subsequent campaigns. Historic powerhouses could reclaim former glory while some German clubs faced uncertainty as they chased a quicker return. Similar sagas unfolded in Italy, France, and Spain as the competitive drama continued to unfold across the continent.
Goal tracks the status of teams hovering on the edge of the top tier and those pressing for promotion across the major leagues, charting the pulse of each campaign.
GERMANY
Stuttgart sits near the edge with 30 matches played, while Hertha Berlin faces a comparable threat after 33 rounds. Arminia Bielefeld shows danger of dropping, and Greuther Fürth, with 18 points, treads a line that could push it out of the league. The mood around Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen mirrors a tense mix of hope and pressure as crucial fixtures approach. With 62 points, Schalke stands firmly in a promotion position in the second division, while Werder Bremen maintains a similar standing at 60. Hamburg and Darmstadt push hard, both hovering near the promotion zone, and St. Pauli remains within striking distance at 54.
Milestones punctuate the season, such as a first league appearance in a notable arena after a long absence, underscoring the dramatic arc of the campaign. In the second division, the race remains close. A small gap divides Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen from Hamburg, Darmstadt, and St. Pauli as they chase promotion. The late run of the season could rewrite the standings in a dramatic finale.
SPAIN
Major relegation pressure sits on Mallorca and Alavés as they face La Liga drop risks after 36 rounds, with Levante also in the mix. Cadiz and Granada maintain hope while striving to secure safety in the final weeks. The ascent story features Almería and Eibar, who climbed from the second division and immediately joined the fight for top-tier status. Valladolid, Tenerife, Girona, and Real Oviedo pursue promotion, while Ponferradina and Las Palmas work to limit losses and keep campaigns alive.
Levante celebrated a memorable day alongside supporters and athletes from adaptive sports programs, highlighting the club’s commitment to community and the broader sporting family.
ITALY
Cagliari, Genoa, and Venezia carry the heaviest pressure in Serie A, facing relegation to Serie B after 36 rounds. Salernitana trails closely on 30 points, signaling a tightly contested battle at the bottom of the table. Lecce and Cremonese secured promotion, while a mini-tournament determined the third promotion slot, featuring Pisa, Monza, Brescia, Ascoli, Benevento, and Perugia. Playoffs unfolded with dates set for mid-May, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the promotion races.
Commentary highlighted dramatic moments and notable performances that shaped the season’s close battles, with pivotal goals shaping the narrative across the league’s final stretch.
ENGLAND
Norwich City and Watford were relegated from the Premier League, while Leeds United, Burnley, and Everton faced precarious prospects as the season reached its end. The Championship offered two direct promotions plus a playoff, with the finale at Wembley. Fulham and Bournemouth secured promotion as the top two seeds, and Huddersfield Town, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, and Luton Town entered the playoff scene.
The playoff fixtures provided a dramatic path to the final, with ties scheduled in mid-May to determine the last promotion spot. The season showcased a blend of historic clubs fighting to reclaim top-flight status and rising teams aiming to make their mark on the Premier League stage. Moments from the campaign underscored resilience, strategy, and chance in English football, revealing patterns that continue to shape the league pyramid.
FRANCE
Saint-Étienne faces a potential play-out scenario after 36 matches, with Bordeaux and Metz contending in a tense Ligue 1 battle. Lorient has secured safety, while the Ligue 2 race intensifies with Toulouse and Ajaccio in the vice-champion position as competition narrows for promotion slots. The mini-tournament for the remaining promotion spots includes Auxerre, Paris FC, and Sochaux, each seeking a path upward. The endgame of the season blends drama and strategic decisions that shape the French football landscape for the year ahead.
Moments from across the leagues reflect the emotional heartbeat of the sport and the enduring appeal of the promotion race. The narratives converge on clubs striving to rise and others defending their position, with fans rallying behind teams in pursuit of glory.
Goal coverage and match observations continue to shape the understanding of relegation and promotion battles across Europe.