“For the tenth time in a row, it’s a historic moment,” said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann in an interview with Sky television before the top game against Borussia Dortmund kicked off. “We shouldn’t let that be talked down to us either.” At this point, the 34-year-old looked so relaxed that it was as if he had already won his first championship title with Bayern. “If I were him, I would also want to be champions,” said BVB coach Marco Rose with a pinched expression. “But we are here to prevent that.” However, nothing came of it: Bayern won 3-1 and thus secured the title prematurely.
They quickly took control in front of 75,000 spectators in the sold-out Munich Arena and were 2-0 up at half-time. BVB didn’t score a single shot on goal in the first half. Dortmund improved in the second half, but only managed to get the goal back before they conceded the crucial third goal at the back.
With the success, Bayern extended their lead over second-placed BVB to twelve points and can therefore no longer be dislodged from the top spot in the remaining three games of the season. It is the 32nd German championship title in the club’s history, the tenth in a row. No other club in Europe’s top divisions has managed to do that. “We really wanted that,” said Thomas Müller, who is now the record champion among Bundesliga players with his eleventh championship title. And coach Nagelsmann added: “I think we played well. We deserved to be champions.” He had also earned the obligatory beer shower.
Fuerth descends
The shamrock is only a lucky charm with four leaves, the traditional club symbol of the Fürth game association only has three. But that is certainly not the only reason why the footballers from Fürth have to return to the second division after a season in the Bundesliga. The Franconians didn’t have much luck during the season – not even in the fourth to last game of the season: Despite a committed performance, Fürth lost their home game against a rip-off team from Bayer 04 Leverkusen after a 1-0 lead clearly 1-4. This means that the game association is the first to be relegated, and for the second time after 2013, the “Kleeblätter” have to go straight back to the lower house.
Devastated: the players from Fürth, like here Branimir Hrgota
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“The defeat is deserved, of course. Nevertheless, my team showed morale,” said Fürth’s coach Stefan Leitl. “The game is a reflection of the season so far, so it doesn’t feel good to have to accept relegation today.” With the away win, Leverkusen improved from fourth to third place and is therefore on course for the Champions League. The Werkself benefited from the fact that the previous third RB Leipzig had the butter taken off their bread shortly before the end. In the final minutes, Domenico Tedesco’s team lost a 1-0 lead against 1. FC Union Berlin and ultimately lost 2-1.
Hertha BSC with Big Point in the relegation battle
With a narrow victory in a duel with a direct competitor, Hertha BSC took a big step towards staying up. The Berliners prevailed 2-0 against VfB Stuttgart and thus increased their lead over the Stuttgart team to four points. VfB is on the relegation place with 28 points. Hertha is 15th with 32 points and could finally save themselves with another win on the next matchday at penultimate Arminia Bielefeld.
The otherwise controlled Felix Magath (2nd from right) also cheers: Hertha beats VfB Stuttgart
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Promoted VfL Bochum and FC Augsburg will almost certainly remain in the Bundesliga. FCA prevailed 2-0 in the duel between the table neighbors in Bochum. VfL, who have only won one of their last six games, have three games to go with 36 points and eight points ahead of Stuttgart on the relegation zone. Augsburg is one point worse with 35 points.
Back and forth in Freiburg
SC Freiburg, who experienced a roller-coaster of emotions in the 3-3 home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach, remains in fifth place. After being 0:2 behind, coach Christian Streich’s team turned the game under the eyes of ex-national coach Joachim Löw and led 3:2 shortly before the end. But then Lars Stindl managed to equalize late for Gladbach in added time. “We were already efficient in the season,” said Streich. “Today Gladbach’s efficiency was significantly better.”
Contested game: Freiburg’s Lucas Höler (left) and Gladbach’s Ramy Bensebaini
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1. FC Köln, seventh in the table after beating Arminia Bielefeld 3-1, can continue to dream of a place in the European Cup – also because pursuers TSG Hoffenheim drew 2-2 at Eintracht Frankfurt and thus dropped points. “In the end, the result is not enough for us,” complained Hoffenheim coach Sebastian Hoeneß, “in view of the results in the other stadiums.”
Pack of three by Max Kruse
VfL Wolfsburg took an important step towards staying up. In the 5-0 win in Friday’s game against FSV Mainz 05, all goals came in the first half, with Max Kruse scoring a hat-trick. FSV coach Bo Svensson was furious with his Mainz team after the bankruptcy. “It was an absolute cheek in all areas in the first half,” complained the Dane. “It has nothing to do with Bundesliga football or Bundesliga level.” Florian Kohfeldt curbed the euphoria of the “Wolves” fans. “It was an important win, but mathematically we still have to make sure we stay up,” said the VfL coach.
All games of the 31st matchday at a glance:
FC Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund 3: 1 (2: 0)
Tore: 1: 0 Gnabry (15th), 2: 0 Lewandowski (34th), 2: 1 Can (57th Foulelfmeter), 3: 1 Musiala (83rd)
RB Leipzig – 1. FC Union Berlin 1: 2 (0: 0)
Tore: 1:0 Poulsen (46.), 1:1 Michel (86.), 1:2 Behrens (89.)
SpVgg Greuther Furth – Bayer Leverkusen 1: 4 (1: 2)
Tore: 1:0 Willems (5.), 1:1 Schick (8.), 1:2 Azmoun (18.), 1:3 Paulinho (58.), 1:4 Palacios (84.)
Eintracht Frankfurt – TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 2: 2 (1: 1)
Tore: 0: 1 Ndicka (12., Eigentor), 1: 1 Ndicka (32.), 2: 1 Kamada (66.), 2: 2 Rutter (78.)
VfL Wolfsburg – FSV Mainz 05 5: 0 (5: 0)
Tore: 1: 0 Wind (8th), 2: 0 Kruse (24th, penalty kick), 3: 0 Kruse (35th), 4: 0 Wind (42nd), 5: 0 Kruse (45th + 2)
SC Freiburg – Borussia Monchengladbach 3: 3 (0: 2)
Tore: 0: 1 Bensebaini (3rd penalty), 0: 2 Embolo (13th), 1: 2 Grifo (49th, penalty kick), 2: 2 Günter (61st), 3: 2 Lienhart (80th), 3: 3 Stindl (90th + 4)
1. FC Cologne – Arminia Bielefeld 3: 1 (2: 1)
Tore: 1: 0 Uth (3rd), 1: 1 Hübers (33rd, own goal), 2: 1 Modeste (43rd), 3: 1 Thielmann (86th)
FC Augsburg – VfL Bochum 0: 2 (0: 2)
Tore: 0: 1 Hahn (15th), 0: 2 Gregorych (43rd)
Hertha BSC 2-0 VfB Stuttgart (1-0)
Tore: 1: 0 Selke (4th), 2: 0 Belfodil (90th + 3)
The table after the 31st matchday:
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