Berlin (AFP)

Bayern Munich sealed their ninth consecutive German league title on Saturday with a 6-0 display against Mönchengladbach, including a hat-trick from Lewandowski who is only one length behind Gerd Müller's historic record of 40 goals in one season.

In the early afternoon, the defeat of RB Leipzig in Dortmund (3-2) had already mathematically offered the title to the Bavarians.

But the men of the coach Hansi Flick did not deviate so far, and shattered the "Colts" of Borussia (4-0 at the break).

"We saw the result of Leipzig in the locker room and we have already congratulated each other, said captain Manuel Neuer, but it was not the party. We wanted to win the game and send a signal here at the Allianz Arena , to show who the German champion is ".

After their river victory, the Bavarians did not explode with joy either, contenting themselves with hugging each other by donning the t-shirts printed for the occasion.

Then they danced in circles singing "Campeones, campeones", without sacrificing the tradition of the beer shower.

- The "Bomber" record -

With his three goals (including a penalty), Robert Lewandowski now has 39 goals after 32 days.

He has two games left to catch up with and possibly overtake the legendary Gerd "Bomber" Müller, who scored 40 goals in 1971-72, in the same Bayern shirt.

"I thought it was a record for eternity," admitted Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, club boss and former Golden Ball, "but Robert, with 39 goals, has already made FC history. Bayern ".

Thomas Müller, Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sané scored the other goals against Mönchengladbach.

This title, the 31st in Bayern history, is the second and last for Flick, who will leave his place on the bench next season to Julian Nagelsmann, current technician from Leipzig.

"It's an amazing performance. You don't get used to it," commented Oliver Kahn, right-hand man and designated successor to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge at the head of the club, "we have equaled Juve's record by nine titles. consecutive (Italian champion from 2012 to 2020 editor's note), and now our goal will be to beat this record with ten titles ".

Kahn also paid a tribute to Flick, definitely burying the hatchet after the March-April tensions: "He managed to make a team of this set of stars, his part is huge in our success," admitted the former goalkeeper for Bayern and Mannschaft.

- FC Hollywood -

This "Schale", the champion's trophy, will be the only one that Manuel Neuer and his teammates will brandish this season, eliminated in the German Cup and the Champions League.

The typical team, however, was virtually unchanged from the previous season, that of the treble, but the workforce was undermined by injuries at the start of the year.

The men in the title are, as in the treble in 2020, Manuel Neuer, still an exceptional goalkeeper at 34, Lewandowski of course, and midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who at 26 has become the keystone of the team. and its mental leader.

Flick was also able to restore to the "old ones" the confidence lost in recent years: Thomas Müller (11 goals and 19 assists in the Bundesliga) and Jérôme Boateng in central defense were pillars of the team.

But this season, Bayern lived up to their nickname "FC Hollywood" once again, when Flick fell out publicly with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and gave him a resounding "but you're going to shut up!"

in March on the team bus.

The same Flick then aroused the fury of his leaders by announcing himself, live on Sky at the end of a match, his intention to leave the club at the end of the season, without going to the end of his contract in 2023.

The tension has since subsided.

Flick is in talks with the German Federation to succeed Joachim Löw as manager.

And Nagelsmann is preparing to take up the torch with, as a first objective ... a tenth consecutive title in 2022.

© 2021 AFP