Bayern bags historic 10th title

Bayern Munich was crowned Bundesliga champion 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 giant's 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, which was dumped out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals 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 it 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 Camp Nou.

"Something will happen soon. The only thing I know is that there will be a meeting (with Bayern)", he told Sky.

The 33-year-old, who is out of contract next year, scored his 33rd league goal this season.

Barcelona reportedly wants to sign Lewandowski, who was cagey about his Bayern future.

Lewandowski has won back-to-back FIFA best male player awards for the last two years and lifted every available title with Bayern.

He has scored 342 goals in 372 games since he joined on a free transfer from Dortmund in 2014.

Bayern bosses have made it clear they want to keep him, but club CEO Oliver Kahn admitted last Sunday that the Poland star is "considering his future".

Lewandowski added that "nothing special" has happened yet, with his agent in talks with Bayern, and he will "see" how things develop.

"It is not easy for me," he admitted.

Bayern captain Neuer and veteran forward Mueller are also out of contract in 2023, but both players said they plan to extend their contracts.

"We'll see what happens, but the feeling today is that it's hard to leave," said Mueller.

Neuer said he feels "well" at Bayern, adding: "We have the team with the potential to play for the Champions League title."

AFP