Borussia Dortmund sealed their spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League with a convincing 3-0 win over already-relegated Kiel. Guirassy, Sabitzer, and Nmecha scored the goals that put Dortmund ahead of Freiburg, who lost 1-3 to Eintracht Frankfurt and dropped to fifth place, earning a UEFA Europa League spot instead. Frankfurt finished third, just behind the top two teams.
Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen ended the season on different notes. Bayern thrashed Hoffenheim 5-0, with Olise, Kimmich, Gnabry, and Kane scoring the goals. Leverkusen, on the other hand, drew 2-2 with Mainz. Patrick Schick scored twice for Leverkusen in Xabi Alonso’s final game in charge. Mainz’s Nebel and Burkardt scored the goals that kept their team in the mix. Mainz’s draw was enough to secure a UEFA Conference League spot, thanks to Leipzig’s 2-3 loss to Stuttgart.
The Bottom Line
The relegation battle ended with no changes. Heidenheim, St. Pauli, and Hoffenheim all lost and stayed in their respective positions. Heidenheim will play in the relegation playoff against a second-division team. Bochum and Kiel finished last and second-to-last, respectively, and are already relegated.
The final standings saw the top teams secure their European spots, while the bottom teams dealt with the consequences of relegation. Here are the key takeaways:
- Dortmund qualify for the UEFA Champions League
- Freiburg drop to fifth, earning a UEFA Europa League spot
- Mainz secure a UEFA Conference League spot
- Heidenheim face a relegation playoff
- Bochum and Kiel are relegated