Championship celebrations, farewells & one more big goal

The confetti had barely settled when the focus at the Allianz Arena was on one man alone. After the 5-1 victory over FC Köln in the last Bundesliga match of the season, Leon Goretzka stepped onto the platform, his teammates lined up below him. With the trophy in his hands, wearing a fan scarf with the words “Thank you, Leon” and the crests of FC Bayern and his youth club VfL Bochum, Goretzka hoisted the trophy into the sky, with thousands of fans chanting. The championship celebrations, the farewell and preparations for Berlin merged in that moment.

Memories of 2001 – and a mission for today

FC Bayern aren’t only celebrating this year’s title-winning team but also looking back at the past. To mark 25-year anniversary of the 2001 domestic double, the heroes from back then returned on Saturday. Oliver Kahn, Stefan Effenberg & Co. were welcomed on the pitch. “We had wonderful experiences. We always got back up again, that’s what marked the team out,” said Effenberg – along with a message to the current team to bring the cup trophy back to Munich after six years and to go on the attack again in the Champions League next season. When Sammy Kuffour grabbed the microphone and struck up another chant, it was clear that the history of the club lives on, with the next chapter to follow in Berlin.

Shortly afterwards, the stage belonged to today’s protagonists – and those who were given a send-off. Leon Goretzka, Raphaël Guerreiro and Nicolas Jackson were honoured before kick-off. Herbert Grönemeyer’s Bochum anthem rang out for Goretzka, who joined Bayern eight years ago, during the warm-up – a nod to his roots. The south stand had prepared chants, banners and later the special scarf with which they bid farewell. Goretzka, a 2020 Champions League winner and a key player in Bayern’s midfield for years, was the emotional focal point. Guerreiro, a skilful left-footed player at Bayern for three years, and loanee Jackson, who made his mark with crucial goals, also received warm applause.

A display that mirrored the season: bold, attack-minded and hungry for goals

The German record champions picked up where they left off after kick-off. Harry Kane took his first shot from 25 yards after one minute before bagging an early brace. He volleyed home Lennart Karl’s precise cross at the far post (10’) before doubling the advantage with a free-kick routine when he capitalised on a gap in the wall after Joshua Kimmich laid it off. It was the tenth time Kane scored more than one goal this Bundesliga campaign – a feat previously achieved only by Gerd Müller, Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski. 

Saïd El Mala pulled one back for Köln, but Munich kept their cool and Tom Bischof made it 3-1 from Karl’s clever cutback before Jamal Musiala hit the post. FCB enjoyed 72 percent of the ball and took the last seven shots of the first half, impressively demonstrating why they’ve dominated the Bundesliga this season: with attacking football, a strong presence and high tempo in the final third.

Kane’s show, Jackson’s goal and a message ahead of Berlin

Proceedings were similar after the restart, with Karl hitting the outside of the post (53’) before Luis Díaz miscued (56’), but Kane soon had another of his trademark moments. He picked up the ball and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the bottom left corner to make it 4-1 and round off his hat-trick (69’). Our number 9 scored his 36^th Bundesliga goal to finish as the league’s top scorer. Nicolas Jackson then made it 5-1 after Bayern won the ball (83’). The loanee remained true to himself, not always in the limelight but on hand when it comes to scoring. Typical for this team: when Bayern were 5-1 up, Michael Olise immediately called for the ball for a quick restart. “This will to keep scoring more goals and winning more games is one of our incredible strengths,” said Bischof, summing up Bayern’s approach this season which will be needed in Berlin too.

Goretzka in the centre – physically and emotionally

Leon Goretzka played a key role in the match, playing as always over the years: a force in the centre, always available and strong in tackling along Joshua Kimmich in defensive midfield. He put a free-kick into the wall in the 78^th minute, which shows he was actively involved until the end.

His number 8 lit up on the substitution board in the 82^nd minute, with all his team-mates hugging him or giving high-fives as he left, a smile breaking through his concentration. Before reaching the line, he turned towards the south stand, applauded – and found himself met with loud chants. After the final whistle, a banner read: ‘Bochum lad in red and white – thank you for eight years, Leon.” On his neck the scarf that links Bochum and Bayern: images that will remain. “That showed me I was and still am part of this family. I’m just proud of it,” said the 31-year-old midfielder.

As Deniz Aytekin blew the final whistle in his 254^th and last appearance as a Bundesliga referee, the pitch was turned into a stage. Bayern returned across a red carpet to a display of fountains of fire and cannon salutes before lining up for the trophy handover. All of them received their medals before captain Manuel Neuer was presented with the Meisterschale. He invited Leon Goretzka to join him, the latter turning towards the team and hoisting the trophy. Red and white confetti flew across the pitch, with the players laughing, applauding and hugging each other. “We can celebrate today in style,” Manuel Neuer said later: “It feels wonderful to me because we deserved to win the title.”

Celebrating with wheat beer and cockatoo

The championship celebrations followed seamlessly, including beer showers. Assistant coach Aaron Danks was the first to douse Vincent Kompany, with Tom Bischof sprinting across the pitch and pouring beer over Lennart Karl’s head. Goretzka symbolically offered the cockatoo a sip before Konrad Laimer soaked his fellow midfielder. The porcelain figurine was in the thick of it as the fans struck up more chants.

Marienplatz & cup final in Berlin: What’s next

“It’s pure emotion. We’re absolutely delighted with an outstanding season. We scored 122 goals in 34 matches. Winning the title feels fantastic, we’ve got a great team spirit,” commented board member for sport Max Eberl. Harry Kane stressed: “It was a great conclusion to the Bundesliga campaign. We always want to attack, press high up the pitch, win the ball back quickly and score as many goals as possible. Finishing like this is the perfect way to do it of course.” On Sunday the team will be presented with the trophy at Marienplatz before turning their focus to the DFB Cup final against VfB Stuttgart. Following their Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, FC Bayern can crown the season with the double.

Leon Goretzka stood on the platform in front of the south stand, the trophy in his hands, the scarf around his neck, with the fans chanting. It was a moment between farewell and anticipation: a key player said goodbye as a team who laid down a marker to round off the Bundesliga campaign geared up – for the celebrations at Marienplatz and the cup final in Berlin, where they aim to put the finishing touch to the season.

Beer showers, cockatoo & Co. – the on-field celebrations: