It was already the last minute of the game at Bremen. Following the dismissal of Alphonso Davies, Bayern defended their narrow 1-0 lead, that was to be enough to win the eighth German league title in succession, with just ten men on the pitch. Werder threw caution to the wind and had a great chance to level through Yuya Osako. A lot of people thought the header from the Japanese was going in – but one person had something to say about that: Manuel Neuer!
With an incredible reflex save, the Germany keeper just tipped the goal-bound shot away while, at the same time, preventing Claudio Pizarro getting to the ball. Neuer secured the victory – and thereby the 30th league title in the club's history. "And that was a key moment when you're under siege for 90 minutes in your own penalty area when you're a man down. Then you just try to somehow save your own skin – and Manu did that for us," said Thomas Müller in thanking his keeper.
"I know we have a world-class keeper in goal," said coach Hansi Flick in describing his exceptional talent between the sticks after the final whistle. That praise was not only for his brilliant deed in the closing stages at the Weser Stadium: "Manu saved us against Gladbach with several saves. And today that is part and parcel of it. That's why we've got him in goal," added the 55-year-old.
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In the title-deciding 1-0 victory in Bremen on matchday 32, the captain kept his 14th clean sheet of the season – more than any other Bundesliga keeper in the current campaign. Neuer made a major contribution to the men from Munich being able to extend their title run. As one of five players, alongside Müller, David Alaba, Javi Martínez and Jérôme Boateng, the 34-year-old has played in the eight league title wins since 2013 – with eight titles in his career, he is the most successful goalkeeper in the history the Bundesliga along with Oliver Kahn.
Here is the lowdown on the game:
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