Bundesliga
Cologne is relegated – Bochum in the relegation
Florian Kainz and his FC Köln are relegated from the Bundesliga. photo
© Harry Langer/dpa
The last matchday of 2023/24 ends bitterly for 1. FC Köln. There is relief in Berlin and Mainz. VfL Bochum has to tremble in two additional games. The master remains outstanding.
1. FC Union Berlin celebrated their salvation after a 2:1 (0:0) against SC Freiburg and FSV Mainz 05 celebrated their salvation with a 3:1 (1:1) at VfL Wolfsburg.
With a 2-1 (2-0) win against FC Augsburg, champions Bayer Leverkusen became the first Bundesliga team to achieve the feat of remaining unbeaten for a season. FC Bayern lost the runner-up spot with a 2-4 (2-1) defeat at TSG Hoffenheim – VfB Stuttgart are second after a 4-0 (2-0) win against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Cologne fell behind early on and had no chance
Hoffenheim will play internationally next season as seventh in the table – as will Eintracht Frankfurt in sixth after a 2:2 (0:1) against RB Leipzig. Marco Reus celebrated a perfect farewell in Dortmund, scoring in a 4-0 (2-0) win against relegated Darmstadt 98.
Cologne was far away from the relegation place from the 16th minute onwards: Eren Dinkci initially gave Heidenheim the lead and then conceded the second goal for FC in the 22nd minute. Kevin Sessa (36th) practically sealed Cologne’s relegation in the first half with Heidenheim’s third goal, and the goal for Cologne by Steffen Tigges (64th) in the second half did not change that. Especially since Jan-Niklas Beste (78th) also scored for Heidenheim.
Bochum after a late rally 16.
Union had a great chance to take the lead with a hand penalty, but Josip Juranovic was denied by Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu (38′). But then Benedict Hollerbach (68th) scored for the Berliners – at this point the Union was saved. Ritsu Doan (85th) shot Berlin back into the relegation place before Janik Haberer (90th + 2) scored and Union celebrated.
Bochum conceded their first goal early on through Marco Friedl (6th), and after two goals from Anthony Jung (78th) and Jens Stage (80th), the game was decided. Before the final whistle, Christopher Antwi-Adjei (85th) scored for VfL and Romano Schmid (87th) scored for Werder.
Masters Leverkusen remain flawless – Bayern make a big mistake
Mainz had to tremble briefly after Kevin Paredes (18′) made it 0-1, but Brajan Gruda (24′) scored the goal early to equalize. Sepp van den Berg (72nd) then made the Rheinhessen celebrate the lead. Jonathan Burkardt (85th) made everything clear.
At champions Leverkusen, Victor Boniface (12th) celebrated the 1-0 win after a mistake by FCA goalkeeper Tomas Koubek. Robert Andrich (27th) gave the team a reassuring two-goal lead with a backheel. In the second half, Mert Kömür (62nd) scored for Augsburg.
Bayern took an early lead through Mathys Tel (4th). The assist was provided by Thomas Müller, who drew level with record player Sepp Maier in his 473rd game for Munich. Alphonso Davies (6′) increased the score just two minutes later, but Maximilian Beier (8′) immediately brought TSG close again. Andrej Kramaric (68th) first scored the celebrated equalizer, then took the lead in the 85th minute – and two minutes later even scored another goal.
A fitting farewell for Reus – Stuttgart runner-up
Ian Maatsen (30th) gave Dortmund the lead before Reus (38th) was loudly celebrated after his goal. The 34-year-old scored with a free kick. Julian Brandt (72nd) scored Dortmund’s third goal, Donyell Malen (88th) the fourth.
Serhou Guirassy (23rd/31st) was successful twice for Stuttgart, and Wooyeong Jeong (75th) and Silas Katompa Mvumpa (83rd) also scored. Leipzig took the lead in Frankfurt with a penalty goal from Xavi Simons (42nd). Benjamin Sesko (46th) increased almost immediately after the restart. Hugo Ekitiké (60th) scored the first goal, Omar Marmoush (77th) equalized with a penalty kick.