Schalke was lastly relegated from the Bundesliga after a dismal season with a 1-0 loss at Arminia Bielefeld on Tuesday, when Bayern Munich closed in on one other title.
Bayern is only one win away from a record-extending ninth consecutive championship after it capitalized on second-place Leipzig’s shock 2-1 loss at Cologne and moved 10 factors clear on the high with a 2-0 win at residence over Bayer Leverkusen.
The Bavarian powerhouse can seal the title with a win at Mainz on Saturday.
“Now we’re very close. Even if the season didn’t go quite to plan, we can grab the championship. That’s the main target,” Joshua Kimmich mentioned.
SCHALKE DEMOTED
Fabian Klos’ Fiftieth-minute objective was sufficient for Bielefeld to deal Schalke its twenty first defeat in 30 video games.
Schalke had been taking part in within the Bundesliga constantly since incomes promotion in 1991. It’s the quickest of the Gelsenkirchen-based membership’s 4 demotions with 4 video games nonetheless to play.
“We knew it was coming, but when you realize it’s over — it’s really brutal,” mentioned former Schalke nice Gerald Asamoah, who acts as a hyperlink between the membership and the gamers. “I’m bound to the club, it’s been 20 years and I never dreamed it could be so long. I’ve no words.”
Bielefeld, which was promoted final season, moved 4 factors above Hertha Berlin within the relegation zone, although Hertha has two video games in hand. The Hertha squad is on quarantine for 2 weeks following a COVID-19 outbreak on the membership.
Goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann saved a penalty from Klos, who was offside when he swept within the rebound. Schalke additionally completed with 10 males after Malick Thiaw was despatched off together with his second yellow card within the 71st.
But Schalke is final with 13 factors from 30 video games and can’t acquire sufficient factors to outlive even when it had been to someway win its final 4 video games. Schalke has simply two wins all season.
“It’s a very bitter hour for all Schalke people,” mentioned Dimitrios Grammozis, the crew’s fifth coach of the season. “We’re brutally disappointed.”
BAYERN ON BRINK
Bayern wasted no time towards Leverkusen. Alphonso Davies was concerned earlier than David Alaba crossed for Thomas Müller to attract a great save from Lukas Hradecky. But the rebound fell to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who hammered residence a volley within the eighth minute.
Leverkusen defender Daley Sinkgraven then laid the ball off for Joshua Kimmich to fireside contained in the left submit 5 minutes later.
It one other increase for the membership, Leon Goretzka returned from harm when he got here on for Müller within the 63rd.
COLOGNE’S COUP
Cologne captain Jonas Hector scored twice for Cologne to upset Leipzig 2-1 and increase its possibilities of survival.
Leipzig dominated the primary half by way of probabilities and possession however was caught out after the break when Hector – a defender – headed within the opener after Dayot Upamecano left him in an excessive amount of area on the far submit for Jannes Horn’s cross.
Amadou Haidara equalized within the 59th, however Hector scored once more a minute later, firing inside the fitting submit after taking part in a one-two with Ondrej Duda, who set him up together with his heel. It was the primary time the Germany defender scored twice in a Bundesliga recreation.
Cologne remained second from backside in an automated relegation place, behind Hertha on objective distinction.
Also, Eintracht Frankfurt consolidated fourth place and the final spot for Champions League qualification with a 2-0 win over Augsburg.