BERLIN: Bayern Munich snatched their 11th consecutive Bundesliga title in dramatic fashion with a final day 2-1 win at Cologne on Saturday courtesy of Jamal Musiala’s 89th minute goal, grabbing the trophy from the hands of rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund had gone into the last game of the season in top spot but stumbled to a 2-2 against visitors Mainz 05, allowing Bayern to squeeze past them in the tightest league race in years.

In a climactic season finale, Bayern were celebrating what ended up being an unexpected title win while Dortmund’s dreams of their first league trophy since 2012 were left in tatters when they were trailing 2-0 to Mainz after just 25 minutes, with striker Sebastien Haller also having missed a penalty, before battling to a 2-2 draw — but they needed victory to become champions.

Bayern finished on 71 points, ahead on goal difference from Dortmund. RB Leipzig and sensational Union Berlin are third and fourth respectively and will also compete in the Champions League next season.

Hertha Berlin and Schalke 04 were relegated, while VfB Stuttgart will go into the relegation playoff.

“It is unbelievable that I experience such a title race,” said Bayern’s Thomas Mueller, who celebrated a league-record 12th Bundesliga title.

“We conceded an equaliser just as we have done the entire season and then Musiala drills in the winner. That makes you crazy.

“People interested in football have the feeling that we do not deserve this and I clearly say I understand that because of the second half of the season being so chaotic for us. But it is still an unbelievable moment. Crazy, electric. I hoped it would happen but did not think it would,” Mueller added.

While the title win rescues some silverware in what has been a frustrating season for Bayern, several major German media reported shortly after the final whistle that club CEO Oliver Kahn, who was not in Cologne, and sports director Hasan Salihamdizic would leave the club.

The surprise sacking of Julian Nagelsmann in late March and the arrival of Thomas Tuchel was not coupled with success with the team crashing out of the German Cup and the Champions League last eight.

“You have probably heard what we have decided with the supervisory board,” club president Herbert Hainer told media in the mixed zone.

Heading into the final matchday, with Dortmund two clear atop the table, Bayern knew only a win would give them hope of a title, while hoping for a Dortmund collapse.

France forward Kingsley Coman struck after eight minutes to set down the gauntlet to Dortmund, playing one hour to the north.

Despite a bright start, Dortmund soon found themselves behind 1-0 after 15 minutes, Andreas Hanche-Olsen tapping in from a corner.

Dortmund were handed a lifeline when Raphael Guerreiro was brought down in the box, but Haller failed to convert the penalty.

Mainz doubled their lead shortly after, Karim Onisiwo heading in from close range as the visitors began tearing up the home fans’ script.

The home side, who had scored 15 goals in their past three home games, grew nervous and lacked potency in front of goal, while Mainz grew bullish and had several chances on the counter.

With time winding down, Guerreiro gave the home side hope, scoring with 20 minutes remaining.

Word filtered around the ground that Cologne had equalised with ten minutes remaining, Dejan Ljubicic converting from the spot, but Musiala curled a low drive into the far post in the rollercoaster season ending to send Bayern top again.

Niklas Suele added another in the sixth minute of injury time, but Dortmund were unable to conjure the comeback which would have broken Bayern’s hold on the German title, with the players left lying on the grass, their heads in their hands and tears in their eyes for the missed title shot.

One bright spot for the disappointed home side was that arch rivals Schalke were relegated, after a 4-2 loss at Leipzig.

Schalke had fought back to equalise from two goals down, but Leipzig scored twice in the final ten minutes to secure Schalke’s fate.

Elsewhere, Union secured Champions League football for the first time with a 1-0 home win over Werder Bremen.

Union captain Rani Khedira scored a goal with nine minutes remaining, ensuring victory for the home side and keeping alive a remarkable fourth season in the top division.

Also on track for a first ever Champions League berth but needing Union to slip up, Freiburg lost 2-1 away at Frankfurt. Leading 1-0 after a Vincenzo Grifo strike, Freiburg conceded two goals in the last 10 minutes and will instead play Europa League next season.

Stuttgart’s 1-1 draw at Hoffenheim means they finish third last, ensuring a shot at staying in the second division through the relegation playoff.

Bochum’s 3-0 win at Leverkusen also ensures they will play top division football for another season, taking them from second last to the safety of 14th.

A ten-man Augsburg lost 2-0 at Borussia Moenchengladbach but will also stay up, having finished 15th.

Relegated Hertha won 2-1 away at VfL Wolfsburg, denying the hosts a chance at leapfrogging Leverkusen into Europe.

SCOREBOARD

(Tabulated under played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

Bayern Munich 34 21 8 5 92 38 71

Borussia Dortmund 34 22 5 7 83 44 71

RB Leipzig 34 20 6 8 64 41 66

Union Berlin 34 18 8 8 51 38 62

SC Freiburg 34 17 8 9 51 44 59

Bayer Leverkusen 34 14 8 12 57 49 50

Eintracht Frankfurt 34 13 11 10 58 52 50

VfL Wolfsburg 34 13 10 11 57 48 49

Mainz 05 34 12 10 12 54 55 46

Borussia Moenchengladbach 34 11 10 13 52 55 43

FC Cologne 34 10 12 13 49 54 42

Hoffenheim 34 10 6 18 48 57 36

Werder Bremen 34 10 6 18 51 64 36

VfL Bochum 34 10 5 19 40 72 35

Augsburg 34 9 7 18 42 63 34

VfB Stuttgart 34 7 12 15 45 57 33

Schalke04 34 7 10 17 35 71 31

Hertha Berlin 34 7 8 19 42 69 29

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2023