Bayern Munich sealed their 24th German title in stylish
fashion with a comfortable 3-1 win at Hertha Berlin on Tuesday.
The Bavarian giants became the first Bundesliga club to
win the title in March, defending their title with a record seven matches to
spare thanks to goals from Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze and Franck Ribery.
Kroos and Gotze struck within the first 15 minutes,
setting the tone in a match that Bayern controlled, and although Adrian Ramos
scored a second-half penalty for Hertha, Ribery wrapped up his side's win with
a delightful chip from a tight angle 11 minutes from time.
Bayern now boast a 25-point lead over nearest challengers
Borussia Dortmund, who were held to a goalless draw by third-placed Schalke.
Having won the league by 25 points under Jupp Heynckes
last term, the champions will now aim to triumph by an even greater margin and
their evolution under Pep Guardiola was evident in the German capital.
A fluid start from Bayern saw Kroos stroke home from 12
yards following a deflected cross from Thomas Muller and Gotze then converted
Bastian Schweinsteiger's right-wing delivery with a neat header.
Ramos converted a 66th-minute penalty with a cheeky chip
to bring Hertha back into the contest, but Bayern restored their two-goal
advantage when a fine run from Gotze set up Ribery to finish superbly.
The Revierderby at Signal Iduna Park was much less
eventful as Bayern's two closest rivals in terms of league position failed to
score.
Dortmund dominated for large spells, but saw the likes of
Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all denied by Schalke
goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann.
Schalke remain a point behind Dortmund, with the battle
for second now set to take centre stage after Bayern confirmed their title
glory.
At the wrong end of the table, rock-bottom Eintracht
Braunschweig boosted their chances of survival with their fifth win of the
season as they upset Mainz 3-1.
Mainz, who are chasing a European spot, were rocked by
Dominick Kumbela's 18th-minute opener but Nicolai Muller produced a quick
response.
Havard Nelsen's goal on the stroke of half-time changed
the complexion of the game, though, and Braunschweig wrapped up a rare win with
Kumbela's outrageous overhead kick 13 minutes from time.
Braunschweig are now two points behind Hamburg, who
occupy the relegation play-off spot.
Tuesday's other match saw Wolfsburg climb to fifth with a
3-1 win at Werder Bremen.
Culled from Soccerway
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