Schalke relegated to Bundesliga 2 after losing to Leipzig

Word filtered around the ground that Cologne had equalised with ten minutes remaining, Dejan Ljubicic converting from the spot, but Musiala's strike again took Bayern atop the table. Niklas Suele added another in the sixth minute of injury time, but Dortmund were unable to conjure the comeback which would have broken Bayern's hold on the German title. 

One bright spot for the disappointed home side was that arch rivals Schalke were relegated, after a 4-2 loss at RB Leipzig. Schalke had fought back to equalise from two goals down, but Leipzig scored twice in the final ten minutes to secure Schalke's fate. Elsewhere, Union Berlin secured Champions League football for the first time with a 1-0 home win over Werder Bremen. 

Union captain Rani Khedira scored a goal with nine minutes remaining, ensuring victory for the home side and keeping alive a remarkable fourth season in the top division. Also on track for a first ever Champions League berth but needing Union to slip up, Freiburg lost 2-1 away at Frankfurt. Leading 1-0 after a Vincenzo Grifo strike, Freiburg conceded two goals in the last 10 minutes and will instead play Europa League next season. 

Stuttgart's 1-1 draw at Hoffenheim means they finish third last, ensuring a shot at staying in the second division through the relegation playoff.

Bochum's 3-0 win at Leverkusen also ensures they will play top division football for another season, taking them from second last to the safety of 14th. A ten-man Augsburg lost 2-0 at Borussia Moenchengladbach but will also stay up, having finished 15th. Relegated Hertha Berlin won 2-1 away at Wolfsburg, denying the hosts a chance at leapfrogging Leverkusen into Europe. 

 

May 27, 2023