Bayern Munich were crowned German champions for a record-extending 34th time on Sunday, handing striker Harry Kane the first major trophy of his career, after Bayer Leverkusen were held to a 2-2 draw at Freiburg.
Bayern’s 3-3 comeback draw at RB Leipzig on Saturday meant second-placed Leverkusen needed a win to keep their faint title hopes alive. But despite a late rally from two goals down, Xabi Alonso’s side fell short, confirming Bayern’s return to the top after Leverkusen ended their 11-year reign last season.
Alonso, a former Bayern midfielder, congratulated his old club, saying: “They were the more consistent team over the season and they deserve the shield.”
Kane, suspended for the Leipzig match, was among the Bayern players watching the result unfold in Munich. He is expected to return next weekend against Borussia Mönchengladbach, where Bayern will officially lift the Bundesliga shield at home.
At Freiburg, Maximilian Eggestein’s first-half screamer and a Piero Hincapie own goal put the hosts 2-0 up. Florian Wirtz responded with a superb solo effort in the 82nd minute, before Jonathan Tah equalised in stoppage time. But Leverkusen couldn’t find a winner, leaving them eight points behind Bayern with two games left.
Leverkusen, unbeaten in last season’s title-winning campaign, now turn their focus to retaining key figures. Alonso, under contract until 2026, continues to be linked with Real Madrid, while rising star Wirtz—signed until 2027—is reportedly on Bayern’s radar. Tah, who will leave on a free transfer this summer, has drawn interest from Barcelona and Bayern.
Leverkusen’s late equaliser extended their unbeaten away run to 33 Bundesliga matches, tying a record held by Bayern.
Freiburg, meanwhile, climbed to fourth place—one point ahead of Borussia Dortmund—in the race for a historic first Champions League qualification.
Earlier, Holstein Kiel kept their survival hopes alive with a 3-1 win at Augsburg, thanks to a brace from Alexander Bernhardsson and a penalty by Shuto Machino. They now sit one point behind Heidenheim in the relegation playoff spot.
Eintracht Frankfurt can strengthen their own top-four bid with a win later Sunday against local rivals Mainz.
AFP
