Mainz 05 is the big surprise of the Bundesliga season and was even able to overwinter in an international place in the table. The German club is not alone in this.

In recent years, 1. FSV Mainz 05 has repeatedly had to settle for mid-table in the Bundesliga and sometimes even fought against relegation. Although the team was always able to save themselves, the gap to the top was large. In the current season, the club is suddenly in fifth place and is heading towards participation in the Europa League.

After 16 matchdays, Bo Henriksen’s team has 28 points. Mainz has increased its lead over top club Borussia Dortmund by three points. There are already eight wins, more are to follow in order to close the two-point gap to Eintracht Frankfurt (third place) and RB Leipzig (fourth place).

Mainz is not alone with the sporting upswing. Surprise teams are also fighting for the top of the table in other countries. Liverpool FC, FC Barcelona and Fenerbahçe Istanbul suddenly have unexpected competition. t-online provides an overview of the top international leagues.

Premier League (England): Manchester City has now said goodbye to its fifth championship in a row. Coach Pep Guardiola’s team is currently running behind expectations (sixth place) and is already twelve points behind leaders Liverpool. Closer to Liverpool are not only Arsenal and Chelsea, but also Nottingham Forest.

The team around former Union player Taiwo Awoniyi and German junior national player Eric da Silva Moreira is currently in third place in the table. The gap to the top is only six points, and qualification for the Champions League is realistic. And that even though Nottingham was still playing in the second division in 2022.

La Liga (Spain): RCD Mallorca is on the verge of a small miracle. In the past, the club has never finished higher than ninth place, and the reality has all too often been a relegation battle or second division. Coach Jacoba Arrasate’s team is currently in sixth place – and would therefore be eligible to qualify for the Conference League. With ex-Bochum player Takuma Asano, Mallorca shocked current league leaders Real Madrid on the first matchday: the game ended 1-1.

The gap to the “Royals” is now 14 points, but the fight for the international places is in full swing. Mallorca last took part in the Champions League in 2002, and the club can now have serious hopes of taking part in the Conference League or even the Europa League.

Süper Lig (Türkiye): Coach Thomas Reis was relegated with FC Schalke 04 in 2023. He is now on the Samsunspor sidelines. After eleven years, the club made it back into the top division of the Turkish league – and is currently fighting for the international places under Reis.