“Deutscher Meister wird nur der FCB!” – The champions can only be FCB. The chant rang out around the Volkswagen Arena for many long minutes on Saturday evening after FC Bayern’s comprehensive 6-0 victory over VfL Wolfsburg sealed the club’s 27th German championship. The celebrations started at once as the players gathered in front of the travelling faithful to hail the latest triumph.
Arturo Vidal wore a massive cardboard championship shield around his neck, Philipp Lahm was called to the safety fence to lead the chanting and boss Carlo Ancelotti showed off his talent as a singer. “We deserve the title. We’ve played good football. Now’s the time to celebrate,” the Italian laughed. He was no doubt still mightily impressed by his team’s superb performance a little earlier in the evening.
Extra motivation thanks to Leipzig
Wolfsburg’s resistance was broken early in the match and the visitors were three up at the break thanks to David Alaba and a Robert Lewandowski brace. In the second period Thomas Müller, Arjen Robben and Joshua Kimmich made it half-a-dozen to nil. “We were very motivated to secure the title today,” the coach explained.
Earlier in the afternoon, sole remaining rivals Leipzig were held to a goalless draw by Ingolstadt, opening the door to FCB claiming the Mesiterschale once and for all with a win against the Wolves. “I had a feeling the knowledge we could wrap it up today brought an extra couple of percent out of each and every one of us,” mused Mats Hummels. “The title has been our number one target since the first matchday. We’re unbelievably proud.”
'We'll paint the town red'
The Bavarians had their first beer in the dressing room before continuing the celebrations on the plane. David Alaba revealed: “The return trip will certainly be fun. We'll raise a glass or two.” The Austrian, who has sealed his sixth championship title at the tender age of 24, has earned his 'sip', as he put it in his best Viennese accent. With three matches to go FC Bayern are now ten points clear of RB Leipzig and can no longer be toppled from their perch.
“The team turned in a great performance. It isn't a matter of course to seal the title with three matches to go,” stressed Philipp Lahm. Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge agreed, emphasising the importance of the title: “The championship is the most honest title, we said that before a ball was kicked. We've won it for the fifth time in a row, that's extraordinary and incredible.”
On arrival in Munich the Bayern party visited Alfons Schuhbeck's restaurant. “We'll paint the town red,” announced Rummenigge, and the Bayern pros lived up to his words, celebrating the record-extending fifth championship title on the bounce until the small hours. Even the injured players were not to be stopped:
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