Bundesliga Match Day 34: Bayern Munich wins 7th consecutive title
Bayern Munich had its ups and downs over the course of its first season with Niko Kovac at the helm, but there were not many "downs" during its 5-1 Bundesliga-clinching victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
From the outset, Bayern asserted its dominance on Die Adler, who was battle-worn and weary after an aggressive Bundesliga and Europa League slate. Kingsley Coman (4') gave the Bavarians an early lead, but Die Roten could only take a 1-0 lead into halftime despite a thoroughly convincing first 45 minutes.
Eintracht Frankfurt's Sebastien Haller tied the game with a 50th minute goal, but it would not be enough to cover the barrage that was about to hit Frankfurt.
David Alaba (53'), Renato Sanches (58'), Franck Ribery (72'), and Arjen Robben (78') added the final goals in what was an emotional and thrilling atmosphere inside the Allianz Arena. For Ribery and Robben to each score in their last home game with the club was something that the team and fans alike will never forget.
About the only thing that went wrong on the day for Bayern was that Leon Goretzka had to leave the game with a thigh strain, which forced Kovac to use Sanches instead of getting Rafinha into the game (although Kovac could have just push Kimmich up to midfield...I can't figure out why he didn't make that move).
It will be an offseason of change for Bayern with many roster changes on the horizon, but when the squad looked like it might finally lose its grip on the league crown, Kovac found a way to draw the best out of his roster and clinch another title.
As for Eintracht Frankfurt, the squad was beaten down and tired and ultimately got pushed out of a Champions League berth. In fact, Die Adler will now have to go through Europa League qualifiers as the Frankfurt fell all the way to seventh place.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3, Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (W)
(Standings courtesy of @Bundesliga_EN)
Borussia Dortmund 2, Borussia Monchengladbach 0: Dortmund fell short in its attempt to wrestle the Bundesliga title away from Bayern, but it was a successful season nonetheless for the Black and Yellows. Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus had the goals for Dortmund, which is looking very strong heading into next season. With Thorgan Hazard, Nico Schulz, and maybe Julian Brandt all possibly joining the BVB roster, Dortmund could be a major player in Europe next season.
M'Gladbach's Ruckrunde collapse didn't prevent it from securing a Europa League spot, but the squad will likely not be as strong if Hazard bolts to Dortmund like he is expected to in the coming weeks.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 3, Borussia Monchengladbach 2 (W)
Fortuna Dusseldorf 2, Hannover 96 1: Rouwen Hennings (56') and Kenan Karaman (60') hit H96 with a quick flurry to help F95 close out its season with a nice victory. Nicolai Muller added the goal for Hannover 96, which will head to 2.Bundesliga next season.
Prediction: Fortuna Dusseldorf 3, Hannover 96 1 (W)
SC Freiburg 5, FC Nurnberg 1: Freiburg exploded for five goals as Nils Petersen had a brace (54' and 56'), while Marco Terrazzino (7'), Luca Waldschmidt (34'), and Vincenzo Grifo (61') all added goals for Breisgau-Brasilianer.
Eduard Lowen (69') had the lone goal for Der Club, which will be headed back to 2.Bundesliga.
Prediction: SC Freiburg 2, FC Nurnberg 1 (W)
Bayer Leverkusen 5, Hertha Berlin 1: With this victory, Leverkusen clinched a Champions League berth and the possibility of keeping its young and exciting core together. While Brandt has been linked heavily to BVB, the opportunity to remain with Die Werkself and play in the Champions League might give him some hesitation. Same for Kai Havertz, who has a nine-figure price tag on his head and has drawn interest from Bayern among others. Regardless, this was a day for Leverkusen to celebrate.
Lucas Alario had a hat trick, while Havertz and Brandt each added goals to power Die Werkself. For Die Alte Dame, which collapsed mightily in the second half of the season, Valentino Lazaro (34') provided the only goal.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 4, Hertha Berlin 1 (W)
Mainz 4, Hoffenheim 2: TSG1899 had a chance to push itself into European play for next season, but suffered through a monumental collapse in Julian Nagelsmann's final game at the club. After jumping out to a two-goal lead behind Ishak Belfodil and Andrej Kramaric, Hoffenheim fell apart and Mainz took over.
Daniel Brosinski scored on a penalty in the 66th minute before Jean-Paul Boetius added a brace (83' and 90'), and Jean-Philippe Mateta (90+3') put the game out of reach.
For Hoffenheim, this has to be extremely disappointing as the team should have fared better in the league.
Prediction: Hoffenheim 3, Mainz 2 (L)
Schalke 04 0, VFB Stuttgart 0: A scoreless draw was a fitting way to end the regular season for these teams after how miserable both of their respective campaigns have been. Stuttgart will go on to face Union Berlin in a playoff to remain in the top flight.
Prediction: Schalke 04 2, VfB Stuttgart 1 (L)
Werder Bremen 2, RB Leipzig 1: Claudio Pizarro's game winner in the 88th minute clinched three points for Die Werderaner. Milot Rashica scored on a penalty in the 35th minute before RB Leipzig's Nordi Mukiele tied the game in the 86th minute.
Overall this was a very successful year for both squads, who should each be contenders for the league crown next season.
Prediction: RB Leipzig 3, Werder Bremen 2 (L)
Wolfsburg 8, FC Augsburg 1: The Wolves clinched a Europa League spot by decimating Augsburg with an eight-goal barrage. Wout Weghorst had a hat trick, while Robin Knoche, Daniel Ginczek, Elvis Rexhbecaj, and Josip Brekalo all added single tallies. Augsburg knocked in an own goal as well to further help the Wolfsburg cause.
Julian Schieber had the lone goal for Die Fuggerstädter.
Prediction: Wolfsburg 2, FC Augsburg 1 (W)
I came dangerously close to having a losing year, but somehow pulled it out!
Last match day record: 6-3
Season record: 155-151
Note: Predicted ties count as a win if correct and as a loss if there is a winner; conversely if a game is predicted to have a winner but ends in a tie, it will count as a loss.
