Bayern Munich were crowned Bundesliga champions last weekend after their 2-2 draw against RB Leipzig. However, they still had two games to play in the league. In the final home game of the campaign, Bayern hosted Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Bavarian club lifted the title in front of home fans with a convincing 2-0 victory.
Vincent Kompany handed Thomas Muller a place in the starting XI for the last time at the Allianz Arena. The German star got a fitting farewell from the Bavarian faithful after spending 25 years at the club. Kingsley Coman returned to the starting XI, while Raphael Guerreiro recovered from a minor injury to slot in the left-back position. Manuel Neuer also started the goal after several weeks on the sidelines due to injury.
The hosts started the game slowly, dominating the possession but hardly creating noteworthy opportunities. Meanwhile, Gladbach almost created a big chance on the first occasion when they went ahead with purpose. Manuel Neuer made a terrific save in the 10th minute to deny Stefan Lainer. The Austrian delivered a wicked cross from the right flank, which was destined to go in the back of the net, but Neuer made the save to poke the ball above the bar.
Joshua Kimmich created the first big chance for Bayern in the 18th minute. The German midfielder found the run of Guerreiro in the box with a lobbed pass, but the Portuguese full-back couldn’t make contact to unleash a shot on the goal.
Die Roten dominated possession, but they lacked the urgency in the final third. However, they managed to find the breakthrough in the 31st minute. Michael Olise unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box after cutting inside from the right flank. Initially, it felt like Olise had managed to beat the goalkeeper with his shot, but Harry Kane had given the required direction to the shot with his head from close range to open the scoring for the Bavarian club.
Second half was all about Muller’s farewell
The second half of the game was largely dominated by the end of an era at the club as Muller played the last few minutes at Allianz Arena as a Bayern player. The German forward came close to mark the occasion with a goal in the 56th minute, but Jonas Omlin did well to deny him from close range.
Bayern dominated the possession throughout the half and gave Gladbach very few chances. The entire Allianz Arena was on its feet when Muller came off in the 84th minute. The German forward couldn’t mark the special day with a goal or assist, but he deservedly got a standing ovation from the Bavarian faithful for years of brilliant service to the club.
Die Roten sealed the three points with a goal in the final minutes of the game. Leroy Sane played a brilliant reverse pass after cutting inside from the right flank to find Olise in the box. The French winger cleverly finished the move with a smart finish with his left foot.
Bayern players celebrated the win and the season by lifting the title after the game. Muller and Eric Dier were also felicitated by the club as both will be leaving Bayern at the end of the season. The game against Gladbach was more about celebrating Bayern careers rather than the performance on the pitch.