May 20 – Bayer Leverkusen have become the first team in Germany since the Bundesliga was founded in 1963 to complete a whole season undefeated.
After a 2-1 win over Augsburg, Xabi Alonso’s treble-chasing side also stretched their European record unbeaten run across all competitions this season to 51 matches in a perfect dress rehearsal for Wednesday’s Europa League final against Atalanta.
Leverkusen, who won the title in April to end Bayern Munich’s 11-year run, are also the first in any of Europe’s top five leagues since Juventus in 2011-12 to go unbeaten in all competitions.
They could extend that even further if they beat Atalanta, then win the German Cup final.
Meanwhile local rivals Cologne were relegated after a 4-1 loss at Heidenheim while Union Berlin clinched survival with a 2-1 win over Freiburg.
Perennial title winners Bayern Munich could only finish third after they were pipped by Stuttgart who thumped Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-0 while Bayern slumped to a 4-2 loss at Hoffenheim in Thomas Tuchel’s last game as coach.
Bayern’s third place is its worst finish since finishing behind 2011 winner Borussia Dortmund and Leverkusen. It’s also the Bavarian powerhouse’s first trophy-less season since 2012. Conversely Stuttgart’s 73 points is a club record and comes after fighting relegation in the previous two seasons.
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