Berlin: Bayern Munich clinched its eighth consecutive Bundesliga title by beating Werder Bremen 1-0 away on Tuesday, thanks to centre-forward Robert Lewandowski’s first-half strike.
The league’s top scorer latched onto a superb Jerome Boateng cross and fired in his 31st goal of the campaign just before the break to hand the Bavarians the crown. Bayern, which sacked manager Niko Kovac in November 2019 following a run of underwhelming performances and appointed Hansi Flick, turned it around after the winter break.
It is unbeaten since then and has won its last 11 league matches. Bayern remained unruffled by the two-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic and beat Borussia Dortmund in May to overcome the last major obstacle en route to a 29th Bundesliga title.
It was Bayern’s 30th German league crown overall. Flick’s outfit could also add the German Cup, having booked a spot in the July 4 final where it faces Bayer Leverkusen. The side also has won its Champions League Round-of-16 first leg 3-0 at Premier League club Chelsea.
The kind of football we have played in the last few months has been sensational,said Flick. You could feel the passion, the joy for the game and the team spirit. We have now taken the first step and reached our big goal, he added.
But we also have the Cup in our sights. Then obviously, the Champions League matches are something you cannot plan for and we still need to survive the Chelsea game. Werder, desperate to avoid a second relegation after 1980, was bold and matched the Bavarians in the first half for speed and possession.
It also had the better chances until Bayern winger Kingsley Coman’s glancing header in the 24th minute. The visiting team gradually gained ground and broke the deadlock with defender Boateng’s pass for Lewandowski, who turned in the box and fired home in the 43rd minute.
The Polish international, who scored on his return from suspension, had a string of good chances after the break to add to his tally. But it was goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who proved key for Bayern after it was left with 10 men for the final 10 minutes following the dismissal of Alphonso Davies.
The custodian made a sensational one-hand save to ensure yet another league title. Elsewhere, Borussia Monchengladbach got the better of Wolfsburg 3-0, while Union Berlin edged the relegated Paderborn 1-0. Freiburg defeated Hertha Berlin 2-1 in another clash.