The Citizen (KZN)

‘We are the best team in Germany’

BAYERN: CHAMPIONS FOR THE EIGHTH STRAIGHT SEASON

-

Robert Lewandowsk­i said Bayern Munich had proved they are the best club in Germany after securing their eighth straight Bundesliga title on Tuesday as the Polish striker’s first-half volley saw them claim a 1-0 win at Werder Bremen.

Bayern were confirmed German champions for the 30th time in the club’s proud history to maintain their iron-grip on the Bundesliga shield in recent years.

“We have showed that we are the best team in Germany,” said Lewandowsk­i.

Lewandowsk­i struck two minutes before the break with a brilliant chest and low strike, but

Bayern had to endure a nervy final 11 minutes after teenage leftback Alphonso Davies was sent off for a second yellow card.

Head coach Hansi Flick landed the Bundesliga title in his first season in charge having stepped in when Niko Kovac was sacked last November.

Even the coronaviru­s lockdown could not stop Bayern’s momentum, with the champions winning eight consecutiv­e games in all competitio­ns since the resumption of German football last month.

Flick, assistant coach when Germany won the 2014 World Cup, could land the treble as Bayern face Bayer Leverkusen in the German Cup final and hold a 3-0 first-leg lead over Chelsea in the

Champions League last-16.

“This is Bayern Munich, the goals are always high,” said Flick after club president Hainer Herbert had said the treble is the goal this season.

“We have now reached our first big goal, the cup is now the next goal, then the Champions League, but you can’t plan for that.”

The home defeat means Bremen, who are three points from guaranteed safety with two games left, badly need a result at fellow strugglers Mainz this Saturday or against Cologne at home on the final day of the season.

The result means club stalwart Thomas Mueller now equals the league record of former Bayern great Franck Ribery with his ninth Bundesliga title.

 ?? Picture: Getty Images ?? IN A DIFFERENT CLASS. Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowsk­i (centre) wears a shirt and cap in celebratio­n of securing the Bundesliga title following their victory over Werder Bremen at Wohninvest Weserstadi­on on Tuesday night.
Picture: Getty Images IN A DIFFERENT CLASS. Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowsk­i (centre) wears a shirt and cap in celebratio­n of securing the Bundesliga title following their victory over Werder Bremen at Wohninvest Weserstadi­on on Tuesday night.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa