A ‘4-1’ defeat at home did little to spoil the party for Bayern Munich.
The pre-party preparations might have gotten the team a little too relaxed for the final match of the season. Bayern Munich might not have been in a ‘business mood’ when they welcomed Stuttgart on the last day of the 2018 season. The ‘party mood’ had Bayern conceded 4 goals at home to put a little dent to the end of their title-winning season.
No slips and No shockers
Teams did what was required of them on the last day of the season
Hamburger SV only chance of securing a relegation play-off spot and avoid relegation was to beat Borussia Monchengladbach and hope for Wolfsburg to fall at home to relegated FC Koln. Hamburger SV accomplished the part of the plan that was in their control, but FC Koln couldn’t give them the helping hand they needed. After 54 years and 261 days, Hamburger SV became the last founding member of German Bundesliga to get relegated for the first time.
Wolfsburg was relying on ‘goal-difference’ to avoid playing two extra matches. A victory against FC Koln and an Augsburg victory against Freiburg would have helped Wolfsburg avoid the relegation play-off matches. Wolfsburg accomplished the part of the plan that was in their control, but Augsburg couldn’t give them the help they needed.
Relegation play-off match between Wolfsburg and Holstein Kiel
First Leg
17 May 2018
Wolfsburg vs Holstein Kiel
Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg
Second Leg
21 May 2018
Holstein Kiel vs Wolfsburg
Holstein-Stadion, Kiel
Top four finish and direct qualification to the Champions League
RB Leipzig needed a win against Hertha Berlin and hope that both Leverkusen and Hoffenheim come out of their respective matches on the losing end of the score. RB Leipzig got a ‘6-2’ away victory against Hertha Berlin, but both Leverkusen and Hoffenheim were winners in their respective matches.
Hoffenheim handed Borussia Dortmund a ‘3-1’ defeat to leap above them in the league standings on the final day. Despite conceding two stoppage-time goals, Leverkusen secured a victory against Hannover 96 to stay above Leipzig.
Bayer Leverkusen has to settle of the Europa League
Bayer Leverkusen was hoping Borussia Dortmund would have denied Hoffenheim from getting maximum points. It was the only scenario that would have allowed them into the Champions League.
