Bayern Munich wins record fourth consecutive Bundesliga title
Even by Bayern Munich’s standards, Saturday marked a special occasion.
Never before had a team won four straight league titles in the German first division, not before Bayern Munich clinched the achievement with a 2-1 triumph at Bavarian neighbor Ingolstadt 04.
Much of the talk this season has centered around Bayern’s quest to win the Champions League, and by extension affirm Pep Guardiola’s time in charge as an out-and-out success. Tuesday’s aggregate loss in the semifinals to Atletico Madrid denied that dream, but Bayern still salvaged a bit of history.
German soccer underwent several facelifts during the first half of the 20th century in direct correlation with the nation’s own political and ideological upheavals, and the Bundesliga wasn’t formed until 1963.
Until Saturday, the most consecutive first division titles any club had managed was three, a feat achieved by Bayern three times and Borussia Monchengladbach once.
Robert Lewandowski’s brace provided Bayern just enough punch to get past Ingolstadt, which provided a challenge itself despite being fastened to the middle of the table with nothing to play for.
Franck Ribery drew an early penalty, which Lewandowski put away comfortably to give Bayern a lead after a little over 15 minutes. But the second goal, an instinctive finish by Lewandowski off a picture-perfect pass from Xabi Alonso, was the real highlight.
Ingolstadt pulled one back shortly before halftime when Alonso conceded a penalty and Moritz Hartmann converted the first Bundesliga spot kick against Bayern in more than two years.
Both sides had more looks at goal in the second half, but the scoreline held and Bayern secured the Meisterschale (“champions trophy”) with a game yet to play.
This is the latest Bayern has clinched the title during their current run, thanks in part to the resurgence of Borussia Dortmund, whom Bayern will face in the DFB-Pokal final on May 21.
A second piece of silverware would further cushion the transition into the summer months, which are sure to bring change for Bayern. Carlo Ancelotti will take over for Guardiola as manager, and several club stalwarts might be sold or not have their contracts extended.
Of course, star defender Mats Hummels is widely expected to follow Lewandowski and Mario Gotze’s lead and leave Dortmund for Bayern during the summer transfer window, so the Bavarians will almost assuredly be favorites to capture a fifth straight Bundesliga title next season.
The specter of recapturing the Champions League crown will follow Bayern around too, but that’s for next year. Saturday was a day for history.
