Bayern Munich could yet qualify directly for the group stages of the Champions League after Saturday's 8-1 humiliation of St Pauli.
The important factor in Saturday's win in Hamburg was that Bayern secured third spot but they have now set their sights on overtaking second-placed Bayer Leverkusen on the final day of the season.
"We are fundamentally glad to have secured third place, but it is of course fantastic to still have a theoretic chance of coming second on the final day of the season," said Bayern's chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Bayern host Stuttgart next Saturday while Leverkusen travel to Freiburg.
Given Bayern's far superior goal difference, a win for them combined with a defeat for Leverkusen would see them sneak into second and allow the players an extra few weeks off this summer.
"The pressure is now on Leverkusen," said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm.
"It would be sensational to finish second and we will give everything we have got.
"We want to beat Stuttgart and make it a fitting end to the season in the Allianz Arena, and then we will have to see what Leverkusen do."
The spirits were understandably low in the St Pauli camp as their relegation to the second division was confirmed on the day that coach Holger Stanislawski said goodbye to the club after 18 years with them.
The emotion of leaving came second to those experienced because of the crushing defeat.
"This is a very disappointing day," said Stanislawski.
"I am going to get my coat, it was shocking."
