Bayern Munich have reclaimed the Bundesliga title, securing their 34th German championship and reasserting their dominance in German football. The Bavarians clinched the title on Sunday after reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen were held to a 2-2 draw against Freiburg at Europa-Park Stadium, ensuring Bayern’s insurmountable lead with two games remaining. This triumph marks the end of Leverkusen’s surprise title run last season and delivers the first major trophy of Harry Kane’s illustrious career.
The title confirmation came a day after Bayern Munich were denied a championship celebration in a thrilling 3-3 draw against RB Leipzig. A 94th-minute equalizer from Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen kept the race alive, but Leverkusen’s failure to capitalize on Sunday handed Bayern the Meisterschale. Bayern, under the guidance of first-year coach Vincent Kompany, finished the weekend with 76 points, nine ahead of Leverkusen, whose goal difference left them with no chance of catching up.
For England captain Harry Kane, the victory is a landmark moment. The 31-year-old striker, who joined Bayern in 2023 for a club-record €100 million, had endured a trophy drought despite a prolific goal-scoring career at Tottenham Hotspur and with the English national team. Kane, the Bundesliga’s top scorer this season with 24 goals, was sidelined for the Leipzig match due to suspension but expressed his elation on social media, saying, “A dream come true to win the Bundesliga with this incredible club!” Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeness echoed the sentiment, stating, “If we win the championship, no one would deserve it more than him.”
Kompany’s impact has been pivotal in restoring Bayern’s supremacy after a trophyless 2023-24 season, their first without silverware in over a decade. The former Manchester City captain steered Bayern to a commanding league campaign, overcoming a challenging Champions League exit to Inter Milan earlier this month. “This team showed incredible mentality,” Kompany said after the Leipzig draw. “The title is close, and we’re proud to bring it back to Munich.”
The road to the title was not without drama. Bayern’s draw in Leipzig showcased their resilience, as they battled back from a 2-0 deficit with second-half goals from Michael Olise and Serge Gnabry, only to be pegged back by Poulsen’s late strike. Despite the setback, Bayern’s consistent performances throughout the season—bolstered by standout contributions from Kane, Thomas Müller, and Leroy Sané—ensured they remained untouchable at the top. Müller, who will depart Bayern at season’s end, celebrated his 500th Bundesliga appearance and his 12th league title, a fitting send-off for the club legend.
Bayer Leverkusen, who ended Bayern’s 11-year Bundesliga stranglehold last season under Xabi Alonso, fought valiantly but could not replicate their invincible form. Their draw against Freiburg, coupled with Bayern’s superior goal difference, sealed their fate. Leverkusen remain guaranteed Champions League football next season, sitting 12 points clear of third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bayern’s triumph also carries significance for players like Eric Dier, who, like Kane, had never won a major club trophy. The English defender, set to leave Bayern for Monaco this summer, played a key role in the campaign, including a memorable header in a 3-0 win over Mainz 05 last week. “Hopefully, he crowns his time with us with his first title,” a Bayern spokesperson noted before the title was secured.