dpa
Berlin
Bayern Munich beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-0 in the final home game of their icon Thomas Muller who was then given the honour to lift the trophy for their latest Bundesliga title on an emotional Saturday for Germany’s most successful club.
At the other end of the table, Bochum and Holstein Kiel were relegated after losing 4-1 and 2-1, respectively, against Mainz and Freiburg, with Freiburg close to a first ever Champions League participation.
But all eyes were on Munich’s Olympic Stadium where Harry Kane deflected a curling shot from Michael Olise into the net for a league leading 25th goal of the season in the 31st minute, and Olise flicked Leroy Sané’s through ball home in the 90th.
Muller farewell takes centre stage Muller came close to scoring three times in his home farewell and 750th Bayern match before being substituted in the 84th amid a guard of honour from the squad and staff, and an ovation from the stands.
He was honoured before the kick-off and another tribute followed post-match, with fans also presenting a special choreography to salute the 35-year-old.
Müller, whose contract is not being renewed, played at Bayern for 25 years and won more than 30 trophies, including a record 13 Bundesliga titles and trebles in 2013 and 2020. His Bayern term will end for good after the final season matches in the Bundesliga and Club World Cup.
“I loved being a modern gladiator. But I am also looking forward to what comes next, even if it won’t be half as nice,” Muller told the stadium.
Bayern were not glorious a week after clinching the title, and their goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had to make half a dozen big saves against mid-table Gladbach in his return from two months on the sidelines with a calf injury.
But all was forgotten when Muller lifted the trophy for a 34th German title, and a 33rd in the Bundesliga era after a first season under new coach Vincent Kompany.
Big moments for Kompany, Kane Captain Manuel Neuer handed the trophy to Muller to lift it, and Kane was among the first to then riase it high, a first title at long last for the England captain who then like Kompany faced the famous beer shower at trophy celebrations.
“It was worth the wait. I am glad that we did it. I just hope this is the first of many, we have a great team, a great coach,” Kane told Sky TV.
Muller said: “It is great to get the trophy in our living room. We suffered when Leverkusen won the trophy last season although they were fantastic.
Looking at his own emotions, he added: “I roughly knew what would happen. It is a fantastic moment to have the appreciation from so many people.”
Freiburg delight Freiburg may also soon be celebrating after coming from behind in Kiel through Johan Manzambi late in the first half and Lucas Höler’s header in the 58th to beat Kiel 2-1. The hosts had led from Lasse Rosenboom.
They are fourth and assured of a place in Europe but it could well be the Champions League.
