by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Naturally far from pleasure-tour relegation battles come along with additional uncomfortable surprises in the German Bundesliga.

Struggling FSV Mainz and Union Berlin might be the latest victims in the group of six clubs stuck in the relegation concerns.

While their rivals Cologne, Bochum, Bremen, and Darmstadt enjoy the opportunity to possibly gain ground in the 18th round of matches, Mainz and Union are forced into the role of bystanders.

While thousands of kids in Germany enjoy snow and ice, riding their winter sleds, the encounter in Mainz against the Berlin side was cancelled due to the frosty conditions in and around the FSV arena.

Having to cut budgets by up to over 50% in the second division isn't spreading enjoyment.

While Bochum and Darmstadt count on a nearly natural unity due to their experience in relegation battles, things seem rather delicate for Cologne and Bremen aside from Mainz and Union.

The 29 conceded goals for Mainz and 31 for Union might tell the story including having changed the head coach. In both cases, things didn't significantly turn for the better.

In case of relegation, the future of Mainz coach Jan Siewert, the successor of the popular Bo Svensson, and Nenad Bjelica, following club icon Urs Fischer, is at stake.

While Cologne doesn't gain ground under their new coach Timo Schulz, the successor of fan pleaser Steffen Baumgart, a transfer ban implemented by the CAS court is delivering additional burden.

Being relegated is said to require a complete re-launch, while it is far from predictable if things in a new dress work out smoothly.

This weekend, the club is facing a delicate Rhine-Ruhr derby against Borussia Dortmund.

For Darmstadt, an emotional derby against the neighboring side of Eintracht Frankfurt is increasing pressure for the tableau's last.

Bochum is in a high-alert state as the third-placed VfB Stuttgart is paying a visit.

Only incurable optimists expect a point harvest for Bremen travelling to the Munich arena of Bayern.

As the side from the Northern part of the country is burdened with economic difficulties due to a depth of over 20 million euros, relegation is said to endanger the financial rescue parachute provided by an additional loan backed by the state government.

While Mainz, Bochum, and Darmstadt enjoy a quiet environment setting, things might turn unsteady for Union, Cologne, and Bremen as their season goals have already failed and a new strategy seems inevitable. Enditem

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