Augsburg on track for Europe after Cologne draw

Augsburg drew 1-1 at home with Cologne on Sunday to regain seventh spot in the Bundesliga, and remain on course for a return to European football.

Arne Maier gave the home side the lead after 18 minutes but Davie Selke's 33rd-minute goal levelled the scores for the visitors.

Augsburg came into the game on a four-match winning streak and could qualify for Europe for the first time since 2015-16.

Hovering dangerously close to the relegation places when the Danish coach Jess Thorup took over in October, Augsburg have improved rapidly.

Depending on Uefa rankings and German Cup results, seventh spot may be enough for a Europa Conference League place.

The point is cold comfort for Cologne, who are stranded in second-last place, six points from safety with seven games remaining.

Later on Sunday, Stuttgart can close to one point behind second-placed Bayern Munich with a win at home to Heidenheim.

Bayern lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, their home first loss against the 'Der Klassiker' rivals in a decade.

Bayern's loss, coupled with Bayer Leverkusen's last-gasp 2-1 win over Hoffenheim left the German champions 13 points behind Xabi Alonso's league leaders with seven matches left to play.