Bayern finish season on a high

Champions FC Bayern brought down the curtain on an excellent Bundesliga campaign with a 4-0 victory over TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday. Michael Olise handed Munich the lead before half-time, with Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane netting in the second half. The result means Bayern finish the campaign on 82 points, 13 clear of Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern lined up with Manuel in goal and Konrad Laimer, Eric Dier, Josip Stanišić and Raphaël Guerreiro in defence. Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović anchored a midfield featuring Olise, Gnabry and Kingsley Coman, with Thomas Müller up front. Leroy Sané, Kane, Sacha Boey, Leon Goretzka and Gabriel Vidović took over from Coman, Müller, Laimer, Guerreiro and Dier in the second half.

Olise on target

The pattern of the match was soon established with Munich dominating possession and Hoffenheim looking to strike on the break. The hosts were very solid at the back and chances were at a premium for the first quarter-hour, but Bayern came closer to an opener when Laimer and Gnabry fired wide.

Munich were awarded a free-kick after the half-hour, Olise stepping up and beating keeper Oliver Baumann from 25 yards to hand Bayern the lead, and it was telling that it came from a set piece. Adam Hložek miscued before Müller saw an effort blocked and soon aimed too high. Olise put a shot wide and Bayern were one up at half-time.

Plain sailing

Andrej Kramarić rifled just wide, but Bayern doubled the lead when Olise’s fine pass released Kimmich, who found the net with the help of a deflection. Müller, who made his last Bundesliga appearance for Bayern, gave way to Kane and left the pitch to a standing ovation from the entire stadium. Baumann denied Gnabry before Neuer saved from Kramarić and Leo Østigard headed over as Hoffenheim opened up.

Bayern put the game to bed when Kane hit the post and Gnabry converted the rebound. Olise invited Kane to add his name to the scoresheet and Baumann denied Sané as the curtain came down on a season that saw Bayern crowned champions of Germany for the 34^th time.

Vincent Kompany’s men will have a rest before returning to action on 15 June, when they take on Auckland City in the Club World Cup.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen