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VfB stays in
Photo: IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel / IMAGO/Sportfoto Rudel
VfB Stuttgart will also play in the Bundesliga next season.
Hertha BSC goes into the relegation games against the third-placed team in the second division.
Bielefeld didn't use a strong performance against RB Leipzig on the last day of the game - Arminia was relegated directly.
Three points behind Berlin, but the better goal difference compared to Hertha - so the starting position for VfB was clear: A win against Cologne was needed while Berlin lost at BVB at the same time.
For FC, after securing Conference League qualification, it was still about the Europa League option.
So both had to and both wanted: Anthony Modeste had the first opportunity for the guests, but Orel Mangala was able to disrupt decisively (5th minute).
At the other end, Tiago Tomás missed (9') before things got exciting: a penalty was awarded after a foul on Tiago Tomás, but Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe sensationally saved Sasa Kalajdzic's penalty kick from the left (12').
But less than 60 seconds later, the penalty miss was allowed to celebrate: the Austrian international headed in the following corner from Borna Sosa from five meters (12').
After half an hour the statistics showed 9-0 shots on goal for VfB, the game only went in one direction: Wataru Endo twice missed the 2-0 for the hosts (32./35.), Tiago Tomás also let the second Stuttgart goals are (45th + 3).
The completely surprising equalizer came from VfB goalkeeper Florian Müller, who fended off a harmless cross so unluckily that Modeste only had to head in (55').
Cologne are now motivated thanks to Bochum's equalizer at Union Berlin, the Europa League suddenly seemed possible after all, but VfB remained the better team and were rewarded in three added time with a goal from Endo (90+2).
A point in Dortmund and Hertha would have been saved.
For this venture, coach Felix Magath changed his starting XI to four positions after the botched relegation game against Mainz.
The Berliners initially acted cautiously, BVB had the ball but no ideas.
After a good quarter of an hour, Dan-Axel Zagadou then helped the guests.
The defender, whose contract will not be renewed in Dortmund, brought down Ishak Belfodil in the penalty area.
The man who was fouled started himself and hit the left corner, Roman Bürki - also in his farewell game - had no chance (18th).
As a result, the Magath-Elf let BVB do it again, but it didn't become dangerous.
Berlin goalkeeper Marcel Lotka, whose move to Dortmund is causing a lot of fuss, only had to intervene for the first time in injury time in the first half.
At the beginning of the second half, Dortmund picked up speed, mainly in the form of substitute Jamie Bynoe-Gitten.
The 17-year-old Englishman also prepared Marco Reus' first opportunity (51').
Erling Haaland equalized with a penalty (68th).
Hertha now faltered – and fell.
Youssoufa Moukoko scored immediately after being substituted on to make it 2-1 (84').
Since VfB still scored, Hertha now has to go into relegation.
There, on May 19 and 23 (8:30 p.m. each time), the Berliners will meet the third-placed team from the second division.
For Arminia Bielefeld, the chances of staying up in the league were only theoretical.
Arminen should have caught up three goals and seven goals on the last day of play against Stuttgart.
This failed, the Arminen said goodbye with a 1:1 (0:0) against RB Leipzig from the Bundesliga.
The struggle for European places
Not only in the relegation battle, but also in the European qualification places decisions were made on the last day: RB Leipzig qualified for the Champions League despite the failure in Bielefeld, Union Berlin and SC Freiburg will compete in the Europa League, Cologne will take part in the Conference League part.
Here is the report on the fight for the European Cup places.
mfu