An unforgettable evening of celebrations

The moment finally came at 8.39pm as the Bundesliga Meisterschale was placed into Thomas Müller’s hands and lifted into the Munich night sky to the cheers of 75,000 people inside the Allianz Arena. It was the culmination of a 2-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach and an excellent season. The title was back home in Munich, where it belongs.

Emotions running high

Next to lift the symbol of this season’s success was Harry Kane, with a long overdue kiss on the trophy to echoes of “We are the champions”. What followed was an outpouring of emotions, delight and countless photos to remember this moment.

The team danced in front of the Südkurve, with Max Eberl arm in arm with Vincent Kompany. “He’s doing an outstanding job in the changing room. It’s extraordinary,” enthused the board member for sport.

Bayern had earlier put in a comprehensive display on the pitch in their final home game of the season. They were patient and controlling against a deep Gladbach side. Michael Olise’s delivery allowed Kane to open the scoring just after the half-hour mark with his 25th goal of the campaign.

Kane was emotional but also focused after the game. The striker just didn’t talk about a personal milestone but of this being the start. “It's an incredible feeling to win my first title after so much hard work. I'm really enjoying this moment and hope it's just the start. We've got a great team and a great coach. We’re not done yet,” he stated with desire for more.

Proud of the team

Kompany also made it clear that it’s not just about the outcome here. “I'm obviously very happy that we're champions, but it’s just as important for me how we play,” said the first Belgian coach to win the Bundesliga. He added that he was “proud of this team” but also that “we now look forward again. We’ve got lots of players who are hungry.”

One player who exemplifies that is Olise. He was involved in both goals, scoring the second himself after a pass from Leroy Sané. A joy to watch, determination, the future – he’s what Kompany means.

The fact the evening’s match ended in victory was also thanks in large parts to Manuel Neuer. The captain returned in goal after a lengthy injury layoff and once again provided reminders of his best form. He made six saves in total – each one arguably better than the last in his 555th appearance for Bayern, with many more to come if he continues to play like that.

“Getting to lift the trophy at home was perfect,” Neuer said afterwards. “The goal was to be champions, and we achieved that. So, it's also a good season. Our motivation after a season without a title played a big part in this. We wanted to achieve something together, which we’ve done.”

Three minutes into the trophy presentation, Kompany picked up the Meisterschale himself to great applause and with a beaming, authentic smile. The official photo of the new champions afterwards shows what it all means to the squad.

No dry eyes or shirts in the house

It was followed by a tradition as Bayern-esque as winning the Bundesliga itself. The giant glasses of beer were brought out before the floodgates opened on the Allianz Arena pitch. It was a first for Kompany, who took it in good humour.

There were no dry shirts in sight just moments after Müller had left no dry eye in the house with his emotional farewell speech. Neuer was of course one of the first to drench the legend with a large splash of Paulaner wheat beer.

“On a very good path”

In keeping with the image of unity, Eberl also praised the structure of the squad: “We have an outstanding dressing room. Everyone has contributed to that. There’s great belief in the team and we are on a very good path.”

Müller’s emotional farewell obviously dominated this Saturday. His story is incredibly closely interwoven with this club and will ensure he’s never forgotten. But this Bayern does not live in the past. It is looking to the future - with new goals, clear ideas and a firm determination to remain at the very top.

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