By 
Since the end of the 2021-22 Bundesliga season, there has been no let up in the interest and intrigue surrounding the league, on and off the pitch. Last season proved once again that the Bundesliga is the home for goals, excitement and records. As well as recording the highest average goals per game, the German top-flight had the top scorer and assist-provider in Europe. Furthermore, the Bundesliga was once more the platform for young talent to shine, and on the final matchday enjoyed the highest average attendance of all top European leagues. We break down the numbers, as well as highlighting some of the star performers using Bundesliga Match Facts Powered by AWS, with two fact-sheets.
The league for records, both domestically and throughout Europe
Qualification for Europe, the battle for promotion and relegation went down to the wire, and the Bundesliga saw a number of new records made. Once again, the Bundesliga was the leader in terms of goals, attendance, and fair play. In addition, football fans will see even more of their favourite Bundesliga teams in Europe next year – with eight German top-flight clubs qualifying for UEFA competitions, which is more representatives than any other league.
2021-22 – The league for records, both domestically and throughout Europe!
Qualification for Europe and the battle for promotion and relegation went down to the wire, and the Bundesliga saw a number of new records made. Once again, the Bundesliga was the leader in terms of goals, attendance, and fair play. In addition, football fans will see even more of their favourite Bundesliga teams in Europe next year – with eight German top-flight clubs qualifying for UEFA competitions, more representatives than any other league.
The league for entertaining football
- In the 2021-22 season, the Bundesliga averaged 3.1 goals per game – the highest of Europe’s top leagues. Thus, for the fourth season in a row, more than 3 goals were scored per game in the Bundesliga.
- The 2021-22 Bundesliga season also saw the lowest number of goalless games compared to the other major leagues in Europe. Only 16 games ended in a 0-0 draw.
- Not only does the Bundesliga score the most goals, but it is also home to three of the top five international strike forces. With an average of 2.85 goals per game, FC Bayern München had the most potent strike force in Europe. Dortmund came third, with an average of 2.50 goals, and Bayer Leverkusen was fifth with 2.35.
- FC Bayern München’s Robert Lewandowski was the top goal scorer across the five major leagues for the seventh time in his career (35 goals). Gerd Müller is the only other Bundesliga player to finish top scorer seven times.
- In fact, the three players who needed the fewest minutes of play per goal in the five major leagues last season were all from the Bundesliga (Lewandowski – 84 mins per goal; Erling Haaland and Patrik Schick – both 87 mins per goal).
- With Thomas Müller, FC Bayern München also have Europe’s best provider in their ranks. In addition to his eight goals, the 32-year-old also provided 18 assists. RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku also ranks in the top five across Europe with 13 assists.
- FC Köln’s Anthony Modeste scored ten headed goals this season, the most of all European players.
- In 2021-22, 72% of all goals in the Bundesliga were scored from open play – the highest share in Europe’s top leagues and a testament to the fast and modern style of play.
- Competition for places went right to the wire, particularly when it came to European and relegation places. Stuttgart captain Wataru Endo’s 92nd minute goal kept his side from entering the relegation play-off, while RB Leipzig secured Champions League football once more and 1 FC Union Berlin climbed into the Europa League places with a final day victory.
- In the Bundesliga 2, the fight for promotion never let up, with Schalke 04 crowned champions on the final day, and SV Werder Bremen fending off the challenge from Hamburger SV and SV Darmstadt 98 to join them in the top flight.
- In addition, the Bundesliga was also the fairest of Europe’s top leagues, with less than
0.1 red cards per game.
The league for world-class talent
- The Bundesliga’s reputation for developing young players continues to live up to its billing. The Bundesliga was the second youngest in Europe’s top leagues with an average age of 26.3. The Bundesliga also saw the second highest share of U21 players in the top five leagues – 12.1 per cent.
- Again, this season, numerous young players were able to show their qualities in the Bundesliga. 18 players under the age of 20 scored at least one goal in the Bundesliga in 2021-22 – more than ever before in a Bundesliga season.
- FC Bayern’s Paul Wanner became the first 16-year-old to win the Bundesliga championship and the youngest Bayern player to debut in the Bundesliga.
- Tom Bischof also became the first 16-year-old to play in the Bundesliga for TSG Hoffenheim, and Sidney Raebiger the first 16-year-old to play in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig.
- Before his injury, Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz became the youngest player in Bundesliga history to score at least ten goals. Furthermore, on Matchday 16, Wirtz became the youngest player ever to make 50 appearances in the Bundesliga.
- Dortmund’s Tom Rothe became the youngest player in Bundesliga history to score on his Bundesliga debut, on Matchday 30 against VfL Wolfsburg.
- In addition to Rothe, Borussia Dortmund had two more 17-year-olds on the pitch that day: Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Youssoufa Moukoko. It was the first time in the history of the Bundesliga that three 17-year-olds were used in one match for one team.
The league for club records
- By becoming 2021-22 champions, FC Bayern München became the first European club to win 10 consecutive league titles.
- Because of their dramatic win in the UEFA Europa League, Eintracht Frankfurt qualified for the UEFA Champions League next season. Thus, eight of 18 teams will be playing in Europe next season – more than in any other nation.
- FC Union Berlin qualified for European competition for the second consecutive time, in only their third Bundesliga season. They also set a new club record in the Bundesliga with 57 points.
- SC Freiburg not only reached the DFB Pokal final for the first time but will also be involved internationally next season, having qualified for the UEFA Europa League.
- For the first time in its history, SC Freiburg remained unbeaten in the first 10 Bundesliga matchdays (6 wins, 4 draws). Freiburg only conceded its first defeat of the season at league leaders in Munich on Matchday 11.
- Under charismatic coach Steffen Baumgart, 1. FC Köln showed the greatest improvement from 2020-21 to 2021-22, climbing nine places to 7th in the table and qualifying for the UEFA Conference League.
And finally, a fantastic sight: as fans returned to the stadium this year, the Bundesliga once again led when it came to the number of spectators. The average attendance of 38,755 on the final matchday was the highest across Europe’s top five leagues, ensuring the unrivalled atmosphere that the Bundesliga is known for around the world.
