Bayern Munich are Bundesliga champions for a record 35th time after a 4-2 win over Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena on Sunday, with Harry Kane scoring his 32nd league goal of the season to set the party in motion in Munich.
The Bavarians can now claim to have finished top of Germany’s top flight for 13 of the last 14 years. Bayern needed just a point to seal the title after Dortmund lost to Hoffenheim the previous day, and they delivered in style.
Bayern won
Stuttgart briefly threatened to spoil the celebrations when Chris Fuhrich opened the scoring in the 21st minute, but Bayern responded in heartbreaking fashion.
Goals from Raphael Guerreiro, Nicolas Jackson and Alphonso Davies came six minutes before the break, giving the home team a 3-1 lead.
Vincent Kompany made eight changes to the side that started against Real Madrid in midweek in the Champions League, with Kane, Michael Olise and Manuel Neuer among those rested.
Kane came off the bench at half-time and made his mark when it mattered, taking his season tally in all competitions to 51 goals. His league strike also pushed Bayern’s Bundesliga goal tally for the season to 109, breaking the record of 101 set by the famous 1971-72 team of Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller.
Spanish striker Chema pulled one back for Stuttgart in the 88th minute, but the result was never in doubt.
Joshua Kimmich summed up the state of the dressing room afterwards. “It’s very special,” he said. “Especially this season, it’s a very good Bundesliga season, including today’s game. You can’t come here after the games against Madrid and play a game like this.”
The Bundesliga is only the first part of a possible treble for Kompany’s team. Bayern will face Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB Pokal semi-final on Wednesday, ahead of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Rabiot defends Milan’s embarrassment in Verona
AC Milan survived an afternoon scare to claim a 1-0 win at bottom side Hellas Verona, thanks to Adrien Rabiot’s effort just before the break.
The Rossoneri were looking over their shoulders in worry after back-to-back defeats against Napoli and Udinese, but the victory moved them back into second place in Serie A and eight points clear of fifth-placed Como.
It was awfully far. Verona made life difficult everywhere, and Matteo Gabbia also had to deny the hosts a great chance at the other end. Milan were far from perfect, but the three points were important. Milan and Napoli are both 12 points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan with five rounds remaining.
David scores as Juventus secure a big win in the European race
Juventus beat Bologna 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday evening, strengthening their hold on fourth place in Serie A and the final Champions League qualification spot.
Jonathan David opened the scoring within two minutes, giving Juventus the platform they needed against a Bologna side still recovering from their Europa League exit at the hands of Aston Villa earlier in the week.
The victory extends Juventus’ advantage over fifth-placed Como to five points with five games remaining.
