Bayern Munich win Bundesliga title after Bayer Leverkusen drop points at Freiburg

Bayern Munich have won the Bundesliga title after second-placed Bayer Leverkusen dropped points in a 2-2 draw at Freiburg.

Vincent Kompany's Bayern went into their match against RB Leipzig knowing that a draw would see them virtually over the line due to their vastly superior goal difference, but a win was needed to make the title a certainty.

A draw was what the Bavarians got, with Yussuf Poulsen bagging a 93rd-minute equaliser for RB Leipzig in a 3-3 thriller at the Red Bull Arena.

In an unfortunate twist of fate, Harry Kane picked up a booking in last week’s 3-0 win over Mainz, meaning he missed out on this decisive match, but he will get a finally get a first winners’ medal of his career, 14 years after breaking through at Tottenham.

After making the move from Tottenham to Bayern, it felt like a matter of time before Kane ended his trophy drought, though his debut saw him on the losing side in the DFL-Supercup in what was a sign of things to come for the next 12 months.

Remarkably, Bayern didn’t win a single honour in Kane’s maiden campaign, going trophyless for the first time since 2012, but they’ve been back with a bang this time around, with Kane adding 24 goals to the 36 he scored last season.

While they were dumped out of the DFB Pokal at home to last season’s champions Bayer Leverkusen and lost 4-3 on aggregate in the UEFA Champions League to Inter, the Bavarians have been on track for the title all season.

While Leverkusen have put up an admirable defence of their title and will comfortably finish second, they’ve been a long way back of Vincent Kompany’s men this term.

It appears the Bayern of old are back for the foreseeable future, too. While the club have made a habit of picking off the best players from their Bundesliga rivals over the years – Ze Roberto, Michael Ballack, Lucio, Mario Gomez, Manuel Neuer, Mario Gotze, Robert Lewnadowski and Mats Hummels to name but a few – their more recent transfer policy has seen them look further afield.

The likes of Michael Olise, Joao Palhinha, Kim Min-jae, Kane, Matthijs de Ligt and Sadio Mane were all imported to the Bundesliga, but the club appear to be looking at targets closer to home once again, with Florian Wirtz linked with a move.

Should Wirtz make the switch, it would significantly weaken a Leverkusen side who are also expected to lose manager Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.

It would likely force something of a rebuild, and with Borussia Dortmund still miles off the pace, Bayern will be expected to retain their title next season.

Liam Williams

• FC Bayern Munich
• Bundesliga
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