Bayer Leverkusen made history by completing a whole season undefeated, becoming the first team in the Bundesliga to achieve this since the league was founded in 1963. Their 2-1 win over Augsburg secured their 28th victory in 34 Bundesliga games, securing their unbeaten season. Leverkusen’s triumph ended Bayern Munich’s 11-year run as champions and also marked the first time any team in Europe’s top five leagues had gone undefeated since Juventus in 2011-12.
In other Bundesliga news, local rival Cologne was relegated after a 4-1 loss to Heidenheim, while Union Berlin secured survival with a dramatic 2-1 win over Freiburg. Bochum dropped into the playoff place after losing to Werder Bremen, setting up a two-legged tie against Fortuna Düsseldorf to determine who will play in the Bundesliga next season. Mainz also ensured their survival with a 3-1 win at Wolfsburg.
Bayern Munich finished third in the Bundesliga after a disappointing 4-2 loss to Hoffenheim in Thomas Tuchel’s last game as coach. This marks Bayern’s worst finish since 2011 and their first trophyless season since 2012. Stuttgart finished second, setting a club record with 73 points after fighting relegation in the previous seasons.
In a poignant moment, Marco Reus led Dortmund to a 4-0 win over Darmstadt in his last Bundesliga game with the club. The 34-year-old, who is leaving after 12 years, was handed the captain’s armband and scored a brilliant free kick. Dortmund now prepares for the Champions League final against Real Madrid on June 1. A Dortmund win would benefit Eintracht Frankfurt, who finished sixth in the Bundesliga after drawing with Leipzig.
Overall, the Bundesliga season had its fair share of drama and historic moments, with Leverkusen’s unbeaten run standing out as the highlight. Fans can look forward to more exciting football next season as teams like Bayern Munich look to bounce back and new contenders like Leverkusen aim to defend their title. Stay tuned for more updates on the Bundesliga and other top European leagues. For more soccer news, visit AP Sports Writer James Ellingworth contributed to this report.
By providing a comprehensive overview of the recent Bundesliga action, including Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten season, the relegation battles, and Bayern Munich’s disappointing finish, fans can stay informed about the latest developments in German football. Be sure to follow the AP Sports coverage for more soccer news and updates.
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