Bayern down Dortmund to win 10th straight Bundesliga
BAYERN Munich were crowned Bundesliga champions for the 10th consecutive season on Saturday after a 3-1 home win over second-placed Borussia Dortmund.
First-half goals by Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandowski put Bayern in control at a sold-out Allianz Arena before Emre Can converted a penalty after the break for Dortmund.
But teenager Jamal Musiala fired in a late goal to spark early celebrations in the home crowd.
This is the first time a club has won 10 straight titles in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
“The year wasn’t that easy. That’s why I’m happy that we crowned it with the championship title,” said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann, who was drenched in beer by his players.
The Bavarian giants’ eighth successive win over Dortmund leaves Bayern an unassailable 12 points clear with three games left.
The title capped an up-and-down season for Bayern, who were dumped out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Villarreal earlier this month.
“It was important that we finished things off after being knocked out by Villarreal,” said Bayern captain Manuel Neuer.
“Everyone wanted it, that’s what’s special in our team.”
Thomas Mueller, who claimed a record-breaking 11th Bundesliga winner’s medal, said: “We were able to get a few things off our chest. Now it’s wonderful.”
Bayern dominated the opening half and Gnabry fired a magnificent volley into the top corner from the edge of the box to give them a 15th-minute lead.
Gnabry had a second effort disallowed before Lewandowski doubled the advantage 11 minutes before halftime.
It was the Poland striker’s 27th goal in 26 matches against Dortmund, who he left for Bayern in 2014.
But his future is in doubt, with Lewandowski’s contract up next year and Barcelona reportedly interested in taking him to the Camp Nou.
“Something will happen soon. The only thing I know is that there will be a meeting [with Bayern]”, he told Sky.