Analysis: Bayern win fifth straight Bundesliga title
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Article summary
Leipzig provided stiff early competition, but Bayern soon moved through the gears and on Saturday clinched their fifth straight Bundesliga title thanks to a 6-0 victory at Wolfsburg.
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How they won it
The path to the title hasn't been quite as smooth as in previous seasons. Leipzig were stubborn contenders for the first half of the campaign – indeed they were still top in December – but dropped off the pace after being beaten 3-0 by Carlo Ancelotti's men just before Christmas. Bayern had stretched their lead to 13 points by March and, despite their recent blip, have never looked back.
Key number: 5
With Bayern having racked up a record fourth successive Bundesliga title last season, now they have made it five, taking their total number of top-flight triumphs to 27. That is 18 more than closest rival Nürnberg.
The opposition
While Dortmund were dealing with some inconsistency, Leipzig delivered a remarkable first term in the top tier, even leading the table until matchday 13. Another surprise package have been Hoffenheim, whose tactical flexibility has come virtue of the shrewd coaching of 29-year-old Julian Nagelsmann.
Make it a double?
Not this time. Bayern exited the German Cup in the semi-finals on Wednesday, suffering a 3-2 home defeat by Dortmund. Thomas Tuchel's men will meet Eintracht Frankfurt in the final on 27 May.
Room for improvement
Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso hang up their boots at the end of the campaign, leaving room for an injection of youth. For the defining games of the season, Ancelotti has tended to field a starting XI with an average age of over 30. One area he must address is a tendency not to be clinical enough at the biggest moments, notably against Dortmund in the cup and Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Biggest win: 8-0 v Hamburg
Biggest loss: 1-0 v Dortmund and Hoffenheim
Top scorer: Robert Lewandowski (28)