Thomas Mueller admitted even winning a fourth straight Bundesliga title on Saturday could not compensate Bayern Munich for their third consecutive UEFA Champions League semi-final exit last week.
Robert Lewandowski netted twice as Bayern were confirmed as the first club to win four German league titles in a row after their 2-1 victory at Ingolstadt 04.
Second-placed Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt left Bayern an insurmountable eight points clear at the top of the table with one game left.
Photo: AP
The result at Ingolstadt means Bayern have now won the Bundesliga title in each of Pep Guardiola’s three years in charge in Munich before he leaves to coach Manchester City next season, but Bayern’s title triumph came just four days after the heartbreak of their European exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid, who reached the final on away goals after winning the first leg 1-0 in Madrid and losing 2-1 to the Bavarians in Munich.
“This isn’t a consolation for being knocked out of the Champions League,” Mueller said. “We can be sad about [it], but now is not the right time to talk about a Champions League semi-final.”
However, Mueller admitted there was relief at finally having their historic fourth straight league title confirmed.
“We’ve played brilliantly together,” the Germany forward said. “It’s a great achievement to have won this title, particularly as Dortmund were the best runners-up in Bundesliga history. We saw again today that every opponent gives everything when they play against us. People think it’s easy to win the title, but it always seems hard in August. Of course, we have a lot of quality, but without the right attitude that doesn’t count for much.”
Bayern took the lead at Ingolstadt’s Audi-Sport Park when Franck Ribery was fouled by captain Marvin Matip in the penalty area and Lewandowski drilled home the resulting spot-kick on 15 minutes.
The Poland hot-shot, the Bundesliga’s leading scorer, then added his second when he drilled home Xabi Alonso’s superb pass from a tight angle for his 29th league goal of the season.
Ingolstadt’s Australia striker Mathew Leckie was denied by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but the hosts pulled a goal back on 42 minutes when Moritz Hartmann converted a penalty after a push from behind from Alonso.
Elsewhere, fourth-placed Borrussia Moenchengladbach defeated third-placed Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-1, Schalke 04 were held 1-1 at home by Augsburg, VfL Wolfsburg won 1-0 at Hamburg SV and Hertha BSC lost 2-1 at home to SV Darmstadt 98.
At the bottom of the table, Eintracht Frankfurt’s victory took them above Werder Bremen, who drew 0-0 with Cologne and occupy the relegation playoff place, while VfB Stuttgart’s 3-1 defeat at home by FSV Mainz 05 left them in the relegation zone. Already-relegated Hannover 96 beat TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 1-0.
Bayern will chase another German record in their final home game against Hannover next Saturday as, having conceded only 16 goals so far in this season, they can break their own best mark of 18 from the 2012-2013 season.
Ingolstadt’s Ralph Hasenhuettl, who is leaving to coach second-tier promotion hopefuls RB Leipzig, poured praise on Guardiola.
“First of all, Pep, you aren’t just a great coach, you are also unbelievably humble, if anyone deserves to win the title, it’s you,” Hasenhuettl said. “You have taken this team up to a new level, which is unbelievable. You have also shown what an incredible person you are.”
Guardiola was similarly full of compliments after making Bundesliga history.
“I want to pay a big compliment to my colleague [Hasenhuettl],” the Spaniard said. “Secondly, I want to pay a huge compliment to the whole club. Thirdly, a compliment to these unbelievable players, for all those who have helped us, whether they have played a lot, or hardly any minutes.”
“Of course, I want to play a big compliment to Borussia Dortmund, who have played a crazy, crazy, crazy season,” he added.
Guardiola also praised his predecessor, Jupp Heynckes, who steered Bayern to the 2012-2013 treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB Pokal titles, which started the run of four straight title triumphs.
“I want to share this with Jupp, we have managed something special,” Guardiola said. “I learned a lot from him. There have been many legends at Bayern Munich, but he for me is the real legend. Thank you, Jupp — thanks for everything.”
Additional reporting by staff writer
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