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Goals from Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze and Franck Ribery were enough for Bayern Munich as they eased past Hertha Berlin 3-1 on Tuesday to claim their 23rd Bundesliga title in record time. The Bavarians, who play Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, came into the game knowing fully well that a victory over Hertha would give them the title with seven games to spare.
Manchester United target Kroos put Bayern ahead after just six minutes as he slotted home form the far post to send the visitors on their away. And before too long, they were inching even closer, thanks to Mario Gotze’s header from eight yards. And although Muller hit the post before the half-time break, the reigning champions went into the break in complete control.
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Although Hertha Berlin halved the deficit thanks to an Adrian Ramos penalty, with 10 minutes to go, the Frenchman Franck Ribery scored to wrap the club’s 24th German title and Guardiola’s fourth League title as a manager. The victory at the Olympic Stadium was their 10th straight away victory and 19th overall and stretched their overall unbeaten run in the League, to 52 matches.
Goalie Manuel Neuer perhaps summed up his team’s title defense under Pep Guardiola most succinctly.
“We carried the momentum from our treble [into this season]. Nobody was expecting things to continue quite so smoothly, but we are happy to have this coach,” Neuer said.
“He’s moving us forward.”
Guardiola himself was keen to invoke Bayern’s only real loss of the season so far – the conviction of former board chairman and club president Uli Hoeness on tax evasion charges.
“This championship is for Uli,” Guardiola said.
“He is the most important person in this club.” Guardiola also told reporters that the players would dine and celebrate together in Berlin, confirming that they had no Wednesday training appointment back in Munich. “Today, and tomorrow, we celebrate.”
With seven games still to play, the Bavarians are on course to finish with 98 points, obliterating the previous record of 91 set last year. And with the League title sewn up, all eyes will be on the Champions League and their crucial away clash with Manchester United next week.
