Established 1961 15 Sports Monday, May 10, 2021 Bayern Munich eye decade of dominance after ninth straight title

DORTMUND: Bayern Munich already have their struck the post before Jamal eyes on a decade of Bundesliga dominance after Musiala’s pass picked out Thomas Mueller to slot winning the league title for the ninth successive in his 11th league of the season, then season on Saturday, celebrating their success with a Lewandowski volleyed home his second on 34 6-0 thrashing of Borussia Moenchengladbach. minutes. scored a hat-trick to leave Kingsley Coman made it 4-0 before the break, him on 39 league goals this season — one short of then won a penalty which Lewandowski converted Gerd Mueller’s all-time Bundesliga record — as the in the 66th minute to leave him one goal short of champions swept Gladbach aside at the Allianz Gerd Mueller’s historic mark, before Leroy Sane Arena. “We wanted to show on the pitch that we are added a late sixth. , the 33-year- German champions,” said Lewandowski, who will old coach who will leave Leipzig to replace Flick at “keep stepping on the gas” in chasing Mueller’s Bayern next season, offered a terse “congratulations record. “Today was a great game, we played really on a deserved title” to his future employers. well and scored a lot of goals.” The emphatic victory leaves Bayern 10 points Sancho double clear of second-placed RB Leipzig, whose 3-2 loss Earlier, England winger netted at Borussia sealed Bayern the title, with twice as Dortmund’s win lifted them into the two games left. The players learned they were Champions League places. Even without injured champions again while still warming up following striker Erling Braut Haaland, Dortmund were 2-0 up Dortmund’s victory. early in the second half thanks to goals from Marco “It was a bizarre situation. We were just getting Reus and Sancho. ready, when we realized that we were champions,” Leipzig fought back through a Lukas said Bayern captain . Board member Klostermann header and Dani Olmo’s equaliser, only MUNICH: (From left) Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich’s German forward has already challenged Bayern to for Sancho to grab the winner. The two clubs meet Thomas Mueller and Bayern Munich’s German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer celebrate after the German first divi- secure a 10th title in a row. again on Thursday in the German Cup final at sion Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich v Borussia Moenchengladbach in Munich, southern “We watched the Leipzig game together, the ’s Olympic Stadium. Germany on Saturday. — AFP atmosphere was great,” said Kahn. “You don’t get “We showed a lot of morale, the game had used to it, it’s an incredible achievement. Now we absolutely nothing to do with the final in Berlin, but can do something next season that no team in the of course we want to win on Thursday too,” said Dortmund goalkeeper did not come floated in a corner and Klostermann steered his world has ever done: become champions 10 times Reus. Dortmund hope to have Haaland back from a out for the second half after being injured colliding header past Buerki. in a row.” thigh problem before the final, and even with their with his centre-back just before the Leipzig drew level when South Korea striker The only blot on a near-perfect night for Bayern top-scorer watching from the stands, the hosts still break and was replaced by Roman Buerki. Hwang Hee-chan broke clear of Dortmund defender was a red card for for a clumsy raced into the lead after less than seven minutes. Dortmund doubled their lead just six minutes and squared for Olmo who tapped tackle 15 minutes from time. Bayern wasted no time Reus span out of Lukasz Piszczek’s pass, sprint- after the interval with a superb piece of skill from home from close range. However, Sancho snatched in hitting their stride, Lewandowski finding the ed behind the defence and took a beautiful back- Sancho, who cut inside after a Raphael Guerreiro all three points when he flicked the ball to bottom corner of the net with just under two min- heeled ball from before sweeping pass and fired in off the far post. The visitors pulled Guerreiro, took a return pass and slotted in to hand utes gone. his shot past Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. a goal back on 63 minutes when Emil Forsberg Bayern the title. — AFP

four minutes latching onto an cross. Five-goal Inter Alexis Sanchez added two more in a 10-minute first half spell, either side of Balde sending scoring off celebrate title a rebound. Substitute added another after the hour with Lautaro Martinez com- Five-star Flick raises pleting the rout from the penalty spot with 20 min- with record 14th utes to go to seal victory against a side Inter had lost against earlier this season, just one of two defeats. the bar for next consecutive home win Since losing against Sampdoria, Inter have gone 18 games without defeat and have now won 14 games Bayern coach : With thousands of fans celebrating outside in a row at home for the first time. The entire team the stadium and a guard of honor onto the celebrated under the ‘Curva Nord’ tribune usually Nagelsmann pitch, celebrated their first title in occupied by Inter fans. over a decade with a 5-1 victory over Sampdoria “We continue to do exceptional things, we have DORTMUND: Hansi giving ’s side a record 14th successive 85 points and haven’t lost since the away game Flick landed a ninth con- home win. against Sampdoria,” said Conte. “The boys continue secutive Bundesliga title Saturday’s match took place behind closed doors to impress, and it’s a real pleasure to watch them play for Bayern Munich on because of coronavirus restrictions but thousands of We’ve brought back credibility to this club.” Saturday, but his youthful ‘Nerazzurri’ supporters celebrated outside the San replacement Julian Siro. “The satisfaction is immense,” said Conte. “It’s Napoli move second Nagelsmann has already natural that we and our fans are now so desperate to Napoli beat Spezia 4-1 to move second, 15 points been warned what to celebrate something that we’d been waiting for so behind Inter, and keep in the Champions League expect as head coach of long to do. We’re happy to bring this joy to them.” chase, but Lazio’s hopes of elite European football MILAN: Inter Milan supporters gather to celebrate next season’s new-look Sampdoria players formed a guard of honor as the took a knock with a 2-0 loss at Fiorentina. Napoli are prior to the Italian Serie A football match Inter squad. Bayern secured newly-crowned champions took to the pitch after one point ahead of three teams — Atalanta, Juventus Milan vs Sampdoria on Saturday at the San Siro the Bundesliga title sealing their 19th ‘Scudetto’ and first since 2010 last and AC Milan — who are tied on 69 points before stadium in Milan. — AFP before they even kicked weekend. ’s ninth-placed Sampdoria they play this weekend. Lazio are sixth, five points off a ball on Saturday. did not spoil the party with Keita Balde scoring the the top-four having played a games less. Dusan ’s 3-2 win over second- only goal for the visitors after 35 minutes. “Inter Vlahovic scored twice for Fiorentina to bring his tally Victor Osimhen to score the second eight minutes placed Leipzig sent the title back to Munich played on the wings of enthusiasm,” said Ranieri. to 21 goals this campaign, and push the Tuscany side later. Osimhen completed his first Serie A brace ahead of Bayern’s evening home game against “They played a great match.” away from the relegation zone. before the break off a free-kick to Borussia Moenchengladbach. Flick will sign off Ranieri, who led Leicester to the 2016 Premier “There are a lot of regrets,” said Lazio coach bring his tally to seven goals in as many games. with the 56-year-old the hot favorite to succeed League title, said his Genoa side had wanted to mark . “In the changing rooms the faces The 22-year-old has scored a total of 10 goals in Joachim Loew as Germany’s next head coach the occasion with a guard of honor. “I told the players were sad, now we have to gather strength and start 21 games played this campaign, having been side- after this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament. He it would be nice to celebrate as they do in England again.” ’s Napoli had lost 2-1 to lined with injury. Roberto Piccoli pulled a goal back won seven honors in his 18 months in charge, and they immediately agreed with me,” he said. Spezia at home in January, but hit back against the for Spezia after an hour but Osimhen was on hand to including two Bundesliga titles and the Inter’s top scorer and other play- relegation-threatened side to extend their unbeaten roll the ball across for . The goal was Champions League. ers who played a key role in the title success stayed run to 12 consecutive games. confirmed after a VAR viewing. Napoli lost all-time Flick also became the on the bench with Conte opting to start with some Polish Piotr Zielinski finished off a record goalscorer to an ankle injury in first Bayern coach to win players who had been less present during the season. pull-back after 15 minutes and the second-half just seven minutes after the Belgian all six available titles opened the scoring after just then provided the cross for Nigerian international came off the bench. — AFP available from one sea- son in 2019/20. Bayern have lost just eight Stalemate between Atletico, Barca matches under Flick in all competitions. His record raises the bar high for hands advantage to Real Madrid Nagelsmann, who at 33 has forged a reputation Julian Nagelsmann MADRID: Barcelona and Atletico had to deny Messi after a vintage run as one of Germany’s best Madrid knew victory could fire them forward from the Argentine, who then young coaches. It will towards the title but had a well-placed free-kick in the last cost Bayern 25 million euros ($30 million) to buy Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Camp Nou minute, only for Atletico to watch the Nagelsmann out of his contract at RB Leipzig, handed Real Madrid the chance to go ball spin inches wide. “We started who he steered to last season’s Champions top. Four wins from their last four better and they finished a little bet- League semi-finals. Nagelsmann stands to games will now be enough for ter,” Oblak said. “Real Madrid has reportedly earn around eight million euros ($9.7 ’s side to retain their four games left but for sure they are million) for each year of his Bayern contract, La Liga crown. going to be tought games. We have to which runs until 2026. However, his first task next The first part of a blockbuster keep going.” season will be to win over stars like captain and weekend in the Spanish title race Diego Simeone said on Friday goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who is two years old- pitched first against third but neither Suarez had been “vindicated” since er than his new head coach. could take a decisive step forward, being forced to leave Barcelona, his 19 despite the best attempts of Lionel goals making him top scorer for the Beckenbauer warning BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Argentinian forward and Atletico Messi and Luis Suarez, who faced team. Koeman admitted it would be Even top scorer Robert Lewandowski is only Madrid’s Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez leave the pitch during the Spanish each other for the first time since “strange” for everyone, including a year younger than Nagelsmann, who has league football match FC Barcelona against Club Atletico de Madrid at the Suarez departed last summer. Messi, who sent a heartfelt open letter already received a blessing from a Bayern leg- Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Saturday. — AFP A point each leaves Atletico three to his former team-mate, neighbor end. “Bayern have made a good choice there. points clear of Real Madrid, who have and best friend last year. Definitely,” said the club’s honorary president a game in hand and also the superior by Ilaix Moriba after a clash of heads ing the space for a shot, but Oblak . However, the 75-year-old head-to-head over both Atleti and ‘Always welcome’ that meant he had to be taken to hos- tipped it wide. warned, “It’s clear that the team will test him. Barcelona. Barca remain two points The pair shared a few words in the pital for tests. Without Busquets, Felipe fired over from a well- That’s just the way it is. He knows that. He has to off the top but their chances took the center circle before kick-off after the Barcelona were rudderless for a while worked Atleti short corner before be prepared for that.” biggest hit, given they now need both Camp Nou stadium announcer had and the Atletico chances came thick half-time but Barca were better after From next season, Bayern can wear a fifth star Atletico and Real Madrid to slip up in already beamed that Suarez “will and fast. Marc-Andre ter Stegen had the break, with both Ilaix and Pique on their shirts having now won 30 titles since the the final stretch. always be welcome”. But, in truth, the to palm away Marcos Llorente’s shot going close shortly after the hour. Bundesliga started in 1963/64. The Bavarian Anything can still happen because Uruguayan was not at his ruthless and then stick out a foot to deny Both coaches made changes, hoping giants have been German champions 31 times, of what we’ve seen so far,” said best as a handful of openings went Suarez from the angle. to inspire a winner. but their first title win, in 1932, came in the pre- Gerard Pique. “If Madrid wins their unconverted in a contest full of Suarez then tried to nod in the Ousmane Dembele was one of Bundesliga era. As well as a new star above their four games they will be champions, chances but that lacked precision rebound after a winding run from them and he should have grabbed it badge, there will be a new coach at the helm. At but it is difficult for the big teams to when it mattered most. Yannick Carrasco before claiming a with six minutes left but headed over 1.90m (6ft 3ins), Nagelsmann makes his presence be consistent. If we win all our three Messi was repeatedly knocked penalty after feeling a flick of Ter from six yards in perhaps the best felt on the sidelines and will not be afraid of ruf- games, I think we’ll have a chance.” over in the opening few minutes Stegen’s hand across his head. chance of the game. Messi could have fling the egos of Bayern’s stars. During matches Atletico will be disappointed too, before Gerard Pique went through the Barcelona were rattled, the usually won it at the end, standing over the played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 given they spurned a number of back of Suarez, both teams scrapping steady Ter Stegen booting one ball ball with a free-kick placed centrally pandemic, Nagelsmann’s voice can often be chances in during a dominant first for control. Atletico slowly took straight into the stands, only for and 25 yards out. Atletico held their heard barking instructions at his players or half, before Ronald Koeman’s side charge, helped by the departure of Messi to give Atletico a reality check, breath, the ball whistling just wide of remonstrating with the referee. — AFP recovered in the second. Jan Oblak , who was replaced his driving run past six chasers open- Oblak’s post. — AFP