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Champions Bayer Leverkusen beat Augsburg 2-1 on Saturday’s final matchday to become the first team in Bundesliga history to finish a full season unbeaten.
Treble-winning Xabi Alonso’s side also extended their unbeaten European record in all competitions this season to 51 games in a best-suited practice session for next week’s Europa League final against Atalanta.
Leverkusen, who will also face Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final on May 25, finished first on 90 points, with 28 wins and six draws, 17 points ahead of second-placed VfB Stuttgart, who beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-0.
At the other end of the table, Cologne were relegated and joined Darmstadt 98, after a 4-1 defeat in Heidenheim. VfL Bochum will participate in the relegation qualification.
Leverkusen got off to a smart start and Victor Boniface intercepted a ball from Augsburg goalkeeper Tomas Koubek to take the lead in the 12th minute as the home enthusiasts prepared to kick off the city’s big party to celebrate the club’s first league title.
Robert Andrich, a member of Germany’s starting squad for Euro 2024, doubled the lead from close range in the 27th minute, but Augsburg fought back after the break and reduced the gap to Mert Komur shortly after the hour.
Both had a good percentage of chances, but it would still be Leverkusen’s day, and enthusiasts were hoping their first Bundesliga trophy would be the first of three titles in an already remarkable season.