Bayern Munich lose, Hertha Berlin relegated from Bundesliga

Bayern Munich’s Thomas Mueller, Joshua Kimmich and Matthijs de Ligt look dejected after conceding their third goal during their Bundesliga match against RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on May 20, 2023. (Reuters)

• Bayern just needed to win their last two games to be sure of claiming their record-extending 11th consecutive title
• Leipzig’s shock win in Munich handed Dortmund the initiative

BERLIN: Bayern Munich squandered their lead on Saturday as Leipzig came from behind to win 3-1 in the Bundesliga, giving Borussia Dortmund the chance to move top going into the final weekend.
Bayern just needed to win their last two games to be sure of claiming their record-extending 11th consecutive title, but Leipzig’s shock win in Munich handed Dortmund the initiative.
Dortmund faces Augsburg away on Sunday. If they win that game, and their final game at home to Mainz next weekend, Dortmund would end Bayern’s 10-year reign as German champion.
It had started so well for the Bavarian powerhouse, which dominated the opening half hour against the cautious visitors.
Thomas Müller – making his second consecutive start for Bayern – set up Serge Gnabry for the opener in the 25th minute.
But Leipzig responded with three good chances in a row in the 34th, 35th and 36th. Yann Sommer responded with three good saves.
Konrad Laimer, who is reportedly set to join Bayern next season, scored a deserved equalizer in the 64th, then Christopher Nkunku scored from the penalty spot in the 76th after he was fouled in the area by compatriot Benjamin Pavard.
Dominik Szoboszlai sealed it with another penalty in the 85th after Noussair Mazraoui was penalized for handball.
Leipzig consolidated third place and secured their Champions League qualification place for next season.
Bayern face Cologne away for their final game and must now also hope for a Dortmund slip-up.
HERTHA RELEGATED
Hertha Berlin were relegated from the Bundesliga after conceding in the fourth minute of injury time to draw with Bochum 1-1.
Former Union Berlin defender Keven Schlotterbeck headed the goal that sent Hertha down to the second division.
It’s Hertha’s seventh relegation from the Bundesliga. Only Nuremberg (nine) and Arminia Bielefeld (eight) have been demoted more times.
Hertha needed a win to postpone the relegation decisions to the final day of the season and they were looking good for the home team after Lucas Tousart finally made the breakthrough with a header to Marco Richter’s corner in the 64th minute.
“We weren’t relegated today. Today we actually delivered a good game,” Hertha coach Pál Dárdai said. “We should have killed the game, we had five or six good chances. We shouldn’t be ashamed of our performance. The fans saw that.”
Both teams hit the post in the final minutes before Schlotterbeck was left unopposed to head Kevin Stöger’s corner past Oliver Christensen in the Hertha goal.
It ensured Hertha stayed last with no chance of finishing above the bottom two. Bochum were not safe yet.
Schlotterbeck and his Bochum teammates ran to celebrate in front of the visiting fans, while the rest of the stadium was left in stunned silence. Some Hertha fans set off loud bangers that reverberated around Olympiastadion, while there were boos and whistles from some supporters when the team approached after the final whistle.
“I can’t believe it, it’s just sad,” Hertha veteran Prince Boateng said with tears in his eyes. “I love the club and came here knowing it’s not all rosy. Now we have the time to regroup and strengthen the club, even if it’s in the second division.”
Schalke were in the relegation playoff spot after drawing at home to Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2. There were clashes between rival fans during the game.
Union Berlin missed the chance to consolidate their Champions League qualification spot after losing at Hoffenheim 4-2.
Also, Cologne drew at Werder Bremen 1-1.