Bayern win German league in record time

German side wins 23rd Bundesliga title with its 19th straight league win, lifting the trophy with seven games remaining.

Bayern Munich have already won three trophies this year [Reuters]

Bayern Munich clinched the Bundesliga title in record time by beating Hertha Berlin 3-1 thanks to goals from Toni Kroos, Mario Goetze and Franck Ribery with seven games left in the campaign.

Last season’s treble winners claimed their 23rd Bundesliga crown with a 10th straight away victory, stretching their winning streak to a staggering 19 consecutive league games and their unbeaten run to 52 league matches – all Bundesliga records.

“I am satisfied that we did it,” Spanish coach Pep Guardiola, in his first season in charge, told reporters. “A game earlier or later does not matter. Congratulations to everyone at the club.”

The Spaniard, who won 14 out of 19 titles in four years at Barcelona, has added the Bundesliga crown to the European Super Cup and Club World Cup titles Bayern won earlier this season.

They have an unassailable 25-point lead over second-placed Borussia Dortmund, who were runners-up last term, with 21 points to play for in Guardiola’s first season in charge.

However, among those not present in the stadium to celebrate Bayern’s triumph was Uli Hoeness, the club’s former player, long-time manager and president, who was found guilty of tax evasion and sentenced to prison earlier this month.

At the other end of the table, bottom club Eintracht Braunschweig breathed new life into their battle to stay up with a spirited 3-1 win over visiting Mainz 05 to move within two points of the relegation playoff spot.

Source: Reuters