Established 1961 27 Sports Sunday, May 19, 2019 Fairytale farewell for Robben and Ribery as Bayern win Bundesliga

Departure marks end of a glistening decade of success for Bayern

BERLIN: Departing veterans Franck Ribery and Arjen In Munich, Sebastien Haller bundled in a shock Robben both scored in their final game at the Allianz equaliser at a corner just after the break, but Bayern Arena yesterday as Bayern Munich beat Eintracht responded furiously, and David Alaba restored the lead Frankfurt 5-1 to wrap up a seventh successive in a matter of minutes. Bundesliga title. Dortmund’s hopes lay in tatters when Renato The fairytale farewell for club icons Robben and Sanches blasted the ball in from close range to score Ribery saw Bayern end an unusually tight title race two his first Bundesliga goal and put Bayern 3-1 up. points ahead of rivals Borussia Dortmund, who beat Ribery and Robben each came off the bench to Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-0. standing ovations in the second half, and Ribery danced Nine points behind Dortmund in December, Bayern through the Frankfurt ranks to seal the title on 72 min- lost just one game between January and May as they utes, before Robben completed a fairytale afternoon bounced back to be crowned German champions for with an 85th minute tap-in. the 29th time in their history. The defeats for Gladbach and Frankfurt saw Bayer Robben and Ribery, who will both leave the club at Leverkusen sneak into the fourth Champions League the end of the season, came off the bench against spot behind RB Leipzig, as they won 5-1 away to Frankfurt to score Bayern’s fourth and fifth goals and Hertha Berlin. Fans displayed a tifo thanking the pair for end Dortmund’s hopes of pulling off a final day miracle. their “fight and committment for our colours”, and the Their departure marks the end of a glistening two players looked close to tears as they and fellow decade of success for Bayern, who are now set for a departing veteran Rafinha were presented to the Allianz major squad overhaul ahead of next season, having Arena for one last time. already signed World Cup winners Benjamin Pavard “They have defined an era here, and from an emo- and Lucas Hernandez. tional point of view, I would have played them, but I Kingsley Coman gave Bayern a dream start, slotting have to make sporting decisions,” said coach Niko home a Thomas Mueller through ball after just four Kovac. Robben and Ribery will both leave Bayern this minutes. There was brief hope for Dortmund as both summer after 10 and 12 years of respective service. MUNICH: (front row L-R) Bayern Munich’s Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich’s Brazilian defender they and Frankfurt scored either side of half-time. The wing duo, who have notched up numerous Rafinha and Bayern Munich’s French midfielder Franck Ribery (R) lift the trophy as Bayern Munich players includ- After Gladbach dominated the first half, Jadon domestic trophies and won the Champions League with ing Bayern Munich’s German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer celebrate after the German First division Bundesliga foot- Sancho smashed in the opener for Dortmund, and Reus Bayern in 2013,now have an eighth Bundesliga title for ball match FC Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt in Munich, southern Germany, yesterday.— AFP doubled the lead after the break. Robben and a record ninth crown for Ribery. — AFP Griezmann whistled as Atletico come De Bruyne has back to draw no sympathy for with Levante Liverpool over MADRID: Antoine Griezmann was jeered during his last narrow title miss game for Atletico Madrid and Rodrigo might have scored his final goal for the club as they came from behind to draw 2-2 against Levante in La Liga yesterday. LONDON: Manchester City star Kevin De Griezmann received whistles at the City of Valencia Bruyne understands Liverpool players being dis- Stadium from the visiting fans, who were also heard appointed at falling just short of winning the chanting “out, out, out” before goals from Sergio Camello Premier League title but he does not have any and Rodrigo ensured Atletico at least ended the season sympathy for them. with a draw. The 27-year-old Belgian midfielder says simply “We had to highlight the work of the gladiators who his side were better than Liverpool. City, who face are leaving,” Simeone said afterwards. “Their greatest VALENCIA: Levante’s Portuguese defender Ruben Vezo (L) challenges Atletico Madrid’s French forward Antoine Watford in the FA Cup final chasing a historic legacy is not the titles won, it is their commitment and Griezmann during the Spanish League football match between Levante and Atletico Madrid at the Ciutat de domestic treble, retained their title by a point respect. I love them very much.” Valencia stadium in Valencia yesterday. — AFP from Liverpool. Simeone has dismissed fears of a mass exodus, despite De Bruyne says no one would have felt sorry both Diego Godin and Griezmann already announcing for City when they lost to Tottenham Hotspur in their departures, with the likes of Rodrigo, Juanfran and Levante coach Paco Lopez. Atletico fought back, Rodrigo Godin was given a rousing goodbye ceremony at the the Champions League quarter-final. “No,” he Filipe Luis all expected to follow. firing into the top corner before 18-year-old substitute Wanda Metropolitano last weekend but the timing of said this week when asked did he have sympathy If this was to be their farewell outing for Atletico, it Camello scored his first goal for the club, finishing at the Griezmann’s announcement, perhaps deliberately, meant for Liverpool. was an underwhelming finale as Levante, who only back post. he avoided a last meeting with the Atleti fans. “It’s a remarkable effort but it means that we secured safety from relegation last weekend, claimed a Simeone’s side finish second again with 76 points, But those that made the trip to Valencia were deter- were just better than them in the end. “I don’t deserved point. three fewer than last season. They come in above Real mined to make their displeasure known and it was feel sorry for them because I don’t think they’d They might have been disappointed not to take all Madrid for a second consecutive year but will end up 13 noticeable that Griezmann made a swift exit after the feel sorry for us. “I don’t think anybody felt three after leading 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from points behind Barcelona, if the Catalans win away at final whistle. Camello, born in Madrid and a product of sorry about the way we went out of the Erick Cabaco and Roger Marti before then playing Eibar today. Atletico’s academy, delivered a more positive message Champions League.” against 10 men for the best part of 40 minutes after Angel Griezmann was unable to add to his tally of 133 goals for the future and a timely reminder of Atletico’s ability He played a less influential role than in City’s Correa was sent off. in 257 games across all competitions in what became a to endure in recent years, despite the departures of 2017/18 title triumph, starting just 11 league “We could have won 3-0, but we relaxed.” said bitter end to his five successful seasons for the club. their biggest stars. — AFP matches with bit parts in eight others due to two serious knee injuries and then a hamstring problem. final match of a campaign that will see them finish Matches on TV De Bruyne, who had a superb 2018 being Bale set for final third, behind both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, and named City’s player of the 2017/18 season and trophyless after being knocked out of the Copa Del (Local Timings) then sparkled for Belgium as they finished a best game at Real Madrid Rey by Barca and the Champions League by Ajax. ever third in the World Cup, says Liverpool feel- Zidane has pledged to make changes once the cam- ing sore is understandable. “I know how they feel paign is over, with several players including Bale because you’re going to feel disappointed,” said expected to be sold, and defended his right to make SPANISH LEAGUE MADRID: Zinedine Zidane hinted yesterday that De Bruyne, who is fit for selection for the Cup the big calls. “It’s my decision,” Zidane told reporters. Real Madrid CF v Real Betis 13:00 Gareth Bale could make his last appearance for Real beIN SPORTS HD 3 final. “That is clear as water. I’m the coach and I will always Madrid today after saying he would make changes this SD Eibar v FC Barcelona 17:15 “We’d feel the same if it happened to us. But do what I want to do. If not, I’ll leave. summer ahead of the final match of their miserable La beIN SPORTS HD 3 we’re still competitors. We want to win as much “For signings and those sorts of things we have Liga season. as they do but I can understand the feelings they people who work on them but we work together.” ITALIAN CALCIO LEAGUE Bale fell out with Zidane towards the end of the have.” De Bruyne, whose high point in what he Zidane took charge with Madrid’s season all-but AC Chievo Verona v UC Sampdoria 13:30 Frenchman’s first spell in charge and their relationship admits has “not been the most fun season” has over and their performances have fizzled out in beIN SPORTS HD 4 has quickly soured again, with the Wales attacker start- Parma Calcio 1913 v ACF Fiorentina 16:00 come off the pitch with his second son being recent weeks. ing just five times since the coach’s return in March and beIN SPORTS HD 1 born, is a great believer in football being played Their defeat by Real Sociedad last weekend means left out completely for Real’s last two matches against Empoli v Torino FC 16:00 through emotions. they have lost two of their last three matches and won beIN SPORTS HD 4 Villarreal and Real Sociedad. Zidane said Bale would be However, he says the introduction of VAR-it only three of their last eight. “The message is clear, it is AC Milan v Frosinone Calcio 19:00 in the squad against Real Betis on Sunday but, asked by was that which cost City victory over Spurs in the the last game and we want to say goodbye to the fans beIN SPORTS HD 4 reporters if it would be his last game for Madrid, he Champions League as Raheem Sterling’s late goal with a good game and a victory,” said Zidane. SSC Napoli v Internazionale Milano 21:30 said: “I don’t know, I can’t tell you. It’s the season finale beIN SPORTS HD 1 was ruled out for offside-is removing that ingredi- “It has been a complicated year and I want to con- and next year there are going to be changes. But I don’t Juventus FC v Atalanta 21:30 ent from the game. “For me football is still a game vey that we are looking ahead to next season and to know what is going to happen.” beIN SPORTS HD 4 of emotions,” he said. — AFP show the fans that we will return with enthusiasm to Madrid face Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu in their make them proud of the team again.” —AFP

Ibrahimovic of losing his cool. “Zlatan is a talented Ibrahimovic player, he obviously knows what he is doing, he is a clever boy and you know, it is a part of the game,” Johnson said. hit with ban “I would be frustrated if I were him too, you know. Can’t blame him for his frustration at that after neck grab point in the game,” the goalkeeper added. It is the second retrospective sanction Ibrahimovic has received in recent weeks. LOS ANGELES: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been sus- He was hit with an undisclosed fine on May 10 pended for two games after grabbing New York City after being found guilty of diving during his team’s FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson by the neck during Los loss against Columbus Crew. Ibrahimovic was also Angeles Galaxy’s defeat last weekend, Major League involved in a stormy on-pitch altercation with Real Soccer said Friday. Salt Lake’s Nedum Onuoha last month. The MLS Disciplinary Committee announced in a Onuoha later claimed Ibrahimovic had been mak- statement it was sanctioning Ibrahimovic for violent ing threats towards him during the match before lat- conduct after the incident in the 86th minute of the er apologising. “From 60 minutes in, he’s saying to game on May 11. Ibrahimovic and Johnson wrestled me what he’s going to do me, he’s going to hurt me,” each other to the floor after coming together in the Onuoha said afterward. closing stages of Galaxy’s defeat last week. “And this is the guy who’s the face of the MLS, Both players received a yellow card for the incident as he calls himself, but this is the way he plays on for unsportsmanlike conduct. Johnson later accused the field.” —AFP