The draw achieved on Saturday afternoon in Frankfurt, with a final score of 2-2, saw Stuttgart clinch the coveted fourth position in the Bundesliga standings. This crucial result earned them the final German berth in the upcoming Champions League, joining an elite group that includes champions Bayern, second-placed Dortmund, and third-ranked Leipzig.

VfB Stuttgart found themselves in a fierce battle for the fourth spot against rivals Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen throughout the league campaign. Ultimately, Sebastian Hoeness’s squad secured the necessary point against Eintracht Frankfurt. Stuttgart initially took the lead with goals from Chema Andrès in the 10th minute and Nikolas Nartey just before halftime in the 45th minute plus four. However, Eintracht Frankfurt managed to equalize in the second half through two penalties successfully converted by Jonathan Burkhardt.

Relegation battle and playoff fates

Amassing 62 points, the Swabian club successfully outpaced Hoffenheim, who finished with 61 points after a 4-0 defeat away to Mönchengladbach, and Bayer Leverkusen, who ended with 59 points following a 1-1 home draw against Hamburg. This remarkable achievement marks the seventh time in their storied history that Stuttgart has qualified for Europe’s premier club competition, encompassing both the modern Champions League and its predecessor, the European Cup.

At the opposite end of the Bundesliga table, the relegation picture also became clear. Heidenheim suffered a 2-0 home loss against Mainz, while St. Pauli also faced defeat on their home turf, falling 3-1 to Wolfsburg. Both Heidenheim and St. Pauli concluded the season with 29 points each, confirming their relegation to the second division. Wolfsburg, finishing 16th, now faces a crucial playoff match against the third-placed team from the second division, which will be either Elversberg, Hannover, or Paderborn.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, who had already secured their record 35th German championship title, emphatically defeated Cologne 5-1. The Bavarian giants concluded their Bundesliga campaign with an astonishing 122 goals scored, with star striker Harry Kane contributing a remarkable 36 goals in the league (59 across all competitions). Kane was in scintillating form on Saturday, netting a hat-trick with goals in the 10th, 13th, and 69th minutes.