Schalke relegated, Bayern opens 10-point lead in Bundesliga

By: CiaráN Fahey, The Associated Press Posted: 1:57 PM CDT Tuesday, Apr. 20, 2021 Last Modified: 5:46 PM CDT Tuesday, Apr. 20, 2021

Advertise with us

BERLIN - Schalke was finally relegated from the Bundesliga after a dismal season with a 1-0 loss at Arminia Bielefeld on Tuesday, when Bayern Munich closed in on another title.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

BERLIN - Schalke was finally relegated from the Bundesliga after a dismal season with a 1-0 loss at Arminia Bielefeld on Tuesday, when Bayern Munich closed in on another title.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/04/2021 (1945 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BERLIN – Schalke was finally relegated from the Bundesliga after a dismal season with a 1-0 loss at Arminia Bielefeld on Tuesday, when Bayern Munich closed in on another title.

Bayern is just 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 points clear at the top with a 2-0 win at home over Bayer Leverkusen.

The Bavarian powerhouse can seal the title with a win at Mainz on Saturday.

Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong prays ahead of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, Germany, Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, Pool)

“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 said.

SCHALKE DEMOTED

Fabian Klos’ 50th-minute goal was enough for Bielefeld to deal Schalke its 21st defeat in 30 games.

Schalke had been playing in the Bundesliga continuously since earning promotion in 1991. It’s the quickest of the Gelsenkirchen-based club’s four demotions with four games still to play.

“We knew it was coming, but when you realize it’s over — it’s really brutal,” said former Schalke great Gerald Asamoah, who acts as a link between the club and the players. “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 last season, moved four points above Hertha Berlin in the relegation zone, though Hertha has two games in hand. The Hertha squad is on quarantine for two weeks following a COVID-19 outbreak at the club.

Goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann saved a penalty from Klos, who was offside when he swept in the rebound. Schalke also finished with 10 men after Malick Thiaw was sent off with his second yellow card in the 71st.

But Schalke is last with 13 points from 30 games and cannot gain enough points to survive even if it were to somehow win its last four games. Schalke has just two wins all season.

“It’s a very bitter hour for all Schalke people,” said Dimitrios Grammozis, the team’s fifth coach of the season. “We’re brutally disappointed.”

Bielefeld striker Ritsu Doan takes a shot against Schalke 04 during their German Budesliga soccer match at Schüco Arena in Bielefeld, Germany, Tuesday April 20, 2021. (Friso Gentsch/pool via AP)

BAYERN ON BRINK

Bayern wasted no time against Leverkusen. Alphonso Davies was involved before David Alaba crossed for Thomas Müller to draw a good save from Lukas Hradecky. But the rebound fell to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who hammered home a volley in the eighth minute.

Leverkusen defender Daley Sinkgraven then laid the ball off for Joshua Kimmich to fire inside the left post five minutes later.

It another boost for the club, Leon Goretzka returned from injury when he came on for Müller in the 63rd.

COLOGNE’S COUP

Cologne captain Jonas Hector scored twice for Cologne to upset Leipzig 2-1 and boost its chances of survival.

Leipzig dominated the first half in terms of chances and possession but was caught out after the break when Hector – a defender – headed in the opener after Dayot Upamecano left him in too much space at the far post for Jannes Horn’s cross.

Amadou Haidara equalized in the 59th, but Hector scored again a minute later, firing inside the right post after playing a one-two with Ondrej Duda, who set him up with his heel. It was the first time the Germany defender scored twice in a Bundesliga game.

Cologne remained second from bottom in an automatic relegation place, behind Hertha on goal difference.