Following the trimmed battles over promotion and relegation across the five top European leagues in their 20/21 campaigns, new divisions were formed. By May 2022, fresh candidates had emerged for both bowing out and rising through the ranks.
Historic powerhouses could return to former glory, just as some German clubs faced a period of uncertainty while seeking a quick path back. Similar sagas were unfolding in Italy, France, and Spain.
Goal tracks the statuses of teams hovering at the edge of the top tier and those pushing for promotion, across the key leagues.
GERMANY
Stuttgart sits at the brink with 30 matches played, while Hertha Berlin shows a similar level of threat after 33 rounds. Arminia Bielefeld appears in danger of dropping, and Greuther Fürth, on 18 points, treads a line that could see it fall out of the league.
The atmosphere around Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen reflects their mix of hopes and pressures as they approach crucial fixtures. With 62 points, Schalke sits in a strong promotion position in the second division, while Werder Bremen holds a similar standing at 60. Hamburg and Darmstadt also push hard, both hovering near the promotion zone, and St. Pauli remains within striking distance at 54.
Timely milestones punctuate the campaign, such as a first league appearance for a club in a notable arena after a long gap, underscoring the dramatic arc of the season.
In the second division, the race is equally tight. A small gap divides Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen from Hamburg, Darmstadt, and St. Pauli as they chase promotion. The season’s late run could rewrite the standings in dramatic fashion.
SPAIN
Mallorca and Alavés face relegation from La Liga after 36 rounds, with Levante also at risk. Cadiz and Granada retain hope as they strive to cement safety in the final stages.
The ascent story features Almería and Eibar, who surged from the second division and immediately joined the fight for top-tier status. Valladolid, Tenerife, Girona, and Real Oviedo aim for promotion, while Ponferradina and Las Palmas battle to limit losses and keep their campaigns alive.
Levante celebrated a memorable day surrounded by supporters and athletes from adaptive sports programs, demonstrating the club’s commitment to its community and the broader sporting family.
ITALY
Cagliari, Genoa, and Venezia face the most significant pressure in Serie A, with the risk of relegation to Serie B after 36 rounds. Salernitana trails close behind on 30 points, signaling a tightly contested battle at the bottom end of the table.
Lecce and Cremonese secured promotion, while a mini-tournament to determine the third promotion spot featured contenders such as Pisa, Monza, Brescia, Ascoli, Benevento, and Perugia. The playoffs unfolded with dates set for mid-May, highlighting the high-stakes nature of promotion battles.
Commentary around dramatic moments and players highlighted the season’s intensity, with accounts of pivotal goals and crucial performances shaping the narrative in the league’s close races.
ENGLAND
Norwich City and Watford were relegated from the Premier League, while Leeds United, Burnley, and Everton faced precarious prospects as the season neared its end. The Championship awarded two direct promotions plus a playoff, culminating at Wembley. Fulham and Bournemouth secured promotion as the top two seeds, with Huddersfield Town, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, and Luton Town entering the playoff picture.
The playoff fixtures provided a dramatic path to the final, with ties scheduled across mid-May to determine the final 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.
Historical snapshots and bench-level moments underscored how the campaign told a larger story of resilience, strategy, and chance in English football.
Over the seasons, patterns emerge that reflect the evolving dynamics of the league pyramid, including promotions and relegations that reshape clubs’ futures.
FRANCE
Saint-Étienne faces a potential play-out scenario after 36 matches, with Bordeaux and Metz also contending in a tense Ligue 1 battle. Lorient has managed to secure safety, while the Ligue 2 race intensifies with Toulouse and Ajaccio in the vice-champions position as the competition narrows for the promotion quotas.
The mini-tournament for the remaining promotion slots includes clubs like Auxerre, Paris FC, and Sochaux, each hoping to secure a path upward. The endgame of the season brings a blend of drama and strategic decisions that shape the French football landscape for the coming year.
Moments from across the leagues reflect the emotional heartbeat of the sport and the enduring appeal of the promotion race. The narratives converge on the ambition of clubs to rise and the resolve of others to defend their position, as fans rally behind teams in pursuit of glory.
[Goal] Coverage and match observations continue to shape the understanding of these relegation and promotion battles across Europe.