All the Bayern players are sporting T-shirts with 8 on the front and 30 on the back: eight consecutive titles, 30 in total. Congratulations to them and especially their coach Hansi Flick. Thanks for your company - see you tomorrow for some Premier League action. Goodnight!
Bayern celebrate with hugs on the pitch and fistbumps in the stands, although one of the board members got carried away and gave Karl-Heinz Rummenigge a big hug.
BAYERN MUNICH WIN THE BUNDESLIGA!
Full time: Werder Bremen 0-1 Bayern Munich That’s it! Robert Lewandowski’s masterful first-half goal has sealed yet another title for Bayern, their eighth in a row. It was a bit tight towards the end but nobody can reasonably deny their victory - not just tonight but over the whole season. They were seventh in December and in big trouble, so they won 17 of the next 18 games to win the league at a canter. It’s a helluva story, especially for their new coach Hansi Flick. They have been awesome.
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90+3 min Four minutes of added time. Bayern have a corner.
90 min: Great save by Neuer! That was so close to a Bremen equaliser. Bartels floated a lovely ball into the area towards Osako, whose deft header was heading for the bottom corner until Neuer plunged to his right to make a superb reaction save.
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89 min Kimmich is booked for a retaliatory foul on someone.
88 min Langkamp is booked for flattening Lewandowski. And here comes the 41-year-old Claudio Pizarro, who replaces Veljkovic.
87 min A vital interception from Boateng, who sticks out a leg to stop Gebre Selassie’s low cross reaching the unmarked Sargent in the middle.
86 min Bremen appeal for a penalty when Sargent’s snapshot hits the body of Boateng. The referee isn’t interested. But this is getting a little hairy for Bayern. Replays show that, while the shot did hit Boateng’s hand, his body was in a natural position.
84 min Another Bremen change: Davy Klaassen off, Niclas Fullkrug on.
82 min A Bayern change: Lucas Hernandez comes on for Serge Gnabry. He has gone to left-back, with Alaba moving back infield. Moments later, Coman flashes a wonderful low cross that just beats the stretching Lewandowski in the six-yard box.
81 min Coman almost seals the title for Bayern. He twisted Veljkovic inside out on the left side of the box before whacking a low shot that hit the legs of Pavlenka and went behind for a corner.
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80 min Kimmich has dropped into the back four, with Alaba moving to left back.
DAVIES IS SENT OFF!
79 min Bayern are down to 10 men. Alphonso Davies gets a second yellow card for a block on Veljkovic. It was fairly soft for a second yellow, but then he might have gone in the first half.
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77 min More sweeper-keeping from Neuer, who wins the ball ahead of Osako but then overruns it, which means he has to keep running and tackle a second Bremen player. No, I have no idea who it was.
75 min “No!” says Woolie Madden. “It can’t be! I saw Pizarro on the teamsheet, and assumed it was simply a different Pizarro to the one I first encountered on ISS Pro Evolution – the precursor to Pro Evolution Soccer. His career predates Pro Evo! He began playing professionally the same summer Three Lions was in the charts! Incredible!”
73 min Bayern look content to pass the clock down, having twigged that Bremen are almost certainly not going to score tonight.
71 min Werder put 10 passes together for the first time in the second half. Eventually Bartels plays a good ball to find Gebre Selassie in space on the right. His dangerous cross into the six-yard box is brilliantly defended by Boateng, who gets in front of Osako to volley clear.
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68 min Bayern were seventh in December; I can’t quite get my head round that. It’s all a bit Liverpool 81-82.
66 min “Cheers Rob,” says Peter Oh. “Re: 60 min. With the title only minutes away, even a wet Flick can chill.”
I’m afraid that needs to be referred to the Guardian Contemporary Pun Committee before it can be published.
65 min The second half has been so one-sided, even by Bayern’s standards. Bremen look like they have settled for damage limitation, which is fair enough in the cirumstances.
64 min “Don’t forget that Bremen still have Claudio Pizarro on the bench,” says Paul. “He’s still only 41.”
I want to see him up front with Kazuyoshi Miura.
62 min A double Bremen change: Fin Bartels and Josh Sargent replace Bittencourt and Rashica.
61 min Pavard drags a shot into the side netting after a nice touch from Coman. It’s a matter of time.
60 min Lewandowski misses a terrific chance, stooping to head Muller’s inswinging cross wide from eight yards. Replays show the cross took a slight touch off somebody else’s head before reaching Lewandowski, which is probably why he missed.
60 min “If they can hold out for this last half hour it’ll be Gene Kelly weather for Bayern in Bremen,” says Justin Kavanagh. “And no chance of Herr Flick being the wally with the brolly when it starts raining beer.”
59 min Davies’s low cross is kicked behind by Moisander. Bayern have been more focussed since half-time and are in complete control.
58 min “Servus Rob,” says Peter Oh. “If Bayern seal the title today, will the players be allowed in to douse Hansi Flick with a bucket of beer or would that run afoul of the sanitisation rules?”
I think they can do what they like within their bubble, but I don’t think they will be able to lift the trophy or, say, give Karl-Heinz Rummenigge the bumps.
56 min Bayern are killing Bremen with clipped passes over the defence. That disallowed goal came from a lofted angled pass from Kimmich that was cushioned across goal by Muller and finished by Lewandowski.
55 min: Lewandowski has a goal disallowed! It was a lovely finish, flicked daintily behind his front leg at the near post, but Muller was offside in the build up.
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53 min Muller misses a chance, mistiming an awkward volley from Goretzka’s sweet pass over the defence, before shouting ‘eff!’ in frustration.
52 min Bittencourt plays a long pass over the top for Rashica, forcing Neuer to run 30 yards from his goal to head clear. Splendid sweeper-keeping.
49 min A slow start to the second half. It’s a strange thing to say about a team that is 1-0 down, but Bremen have a stick or twist dilemma: should they push for an equaliser or protect their goal difference with the last two games in mind? Those two games, since you asked, are Mainz away on Saturday and Cologne at home on the final day.
46 min Peep peep! Bayern begin the second half. Bremen have made a change, with Sebastian Langkamp replacing Kevin Vogt.
Half-time chit-chat “It might be interesting to note that the first team to achieve automatic promotion to the Bundesliga next season is Bielefeld, not Hamburg or Stuttgart, who must now compete for the runners-up position in Bundesliga 2,” says Paul. “Bremen are still aiming for the third last place in the Bundesliga together with Düsseldorf, and may well have to play off against Hamburg, if they are to avoid relegation. Hamburg and Bremen enjoy what is known as a ‘healthy rivalry’.”
Relegation/promotion playoffs with teams from two different divisions are great. I’d love to see them again in English football, though that view might not be shared by the polis.
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Half-time reading
Half time: Werder Bremen 0-1 Bayern Munich
Peep peep! Bayern are 45 minutes from another title. They had to work very hard against a diligent, determined Bremen before Robert Lewandowski’s expertise put them ahead just before half-time. See you in 15 minutes for the second half.
Bayern are on their way 👀
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 16, 2020
Robert Lewandowski bags his 31st league goal of the season as they take the lead just before half-time. pic.twitter.com/AZNyuJuy61
GOAL GIVEN! He was just onside. It was a masterful two-touch finish from Lewandowski, his 31st goal in the league this season. That’s a personal best.
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GOAL! Werder Bremen 0-1 Bayern Munich (Lewandowski 43)
The big man strikes. He was very close to being offside but I think it’ll be okay. A corner was half cleared to Boateng, 40 yards from goal. He floated a superb pass over the defence to Lewandowski, who took the ball down beautifully on the chest and rattled it past Pavlenka.
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41 min “That was certainly an evocative filmic rain metaphor,” says Ian Copestake. “I hope you have a list of them, including one referring to the Shawshank Redemption when the loo is blocked.”
I don’t remember that scene, although I haven’t watched Shawshank in about 20 years. I’d forgotten that it was a gross-out comedy.
40 min Kimmich’s outswinging corner from the right is headed across goal and well wide by Goretzka.
39 min The goal difference is very tight at the bottom of the table, so it’s important for Bremen that, even if they lose, they aren’t thrashed. So far, so good.
37 min “Ah, so ‘Rob Smyth’ is really Karren Brady’s nom de plume?” says Matt Dony. “It all makes sense now!”
35 min That shot from Boateng a few minutes ago was the first on target by either side.
34 min Crikey, it really is John Cusack weather in Bremen. It only started raining a few minutes ago but the players are already drenched.
33 min Boateng’s low drive from 25 yards is comfortably held by Pavlenka. It’s pelting down now, so it’s worth shooting from long range occasionally. Pavlenka dealt with that one very well.
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31 min The under-pressure Klaassen sprays a shot high and wide from 15 yards. Bremen have done pretty well so far. But they will know that, when you play against Bayern, one goal often brings five.
30 min “You’re right, Rob,” says Matt Dony. “Most teams will be absolutely shattered by the time we get to any European Cup matches. Probably best if we just scrap it for this season, and start again next season. For the sake of simplicity and record-keeping, just leave the current holders in place for another year. It seems like the best course of action for everyone.”
I’m not sure we should be playing any football in the current climate, least of all nine league games in a month. I think we all know what the most appropriate course of action would be.
28 min Lewandowski is fine, although he may have a swollen face come the morning.
27 min Kimmich drives a lovely pass over the defence to Lewandowski. He controls it superbly on the stretch before being tackled by Gebre Selassie, who elbows him in the face in the process. I’m sure it was accidental but Lewandowski has stayed down.
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26 min Kimmich hits the bar, though it would not have counted as Gnabry was offside in the build up.
23 min Pavard’s curling cross is headed just wide by Coman, who got in front of his man near the penalty spot. It was a decent header which beat Pavlenka and flashed past the far post.
21 min Bremen are having a decent spell, with Rashica and Klaassen looking lively. Klaassen’s cross on the turn finds Rashica, who falls over after a fair challenge from Alaba.
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19 min Davies is booked for kicking out at Bittencourt. He probably should have been sent off for that.
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18 min Moisander feeds a good pass into Eggestein, 25 yards from goal. He turns and rifles a low shot that whistles just wide with Neuer scrambling across his line.
14 min A dreadful goalkick from Pavlenka goes straight to Coman. Thankfully for Bremen, he plays a poor pass infield. But it feels like a matter of time before Bayern score.
12 min Coman misses a two-thirds chance, driving well wide from 15 yards after a good pass by Kimmich.
9 min A good attack from Bremen. Eventually Bittencourt’s firm, deep cross from the left is volleyed into the side netting by the stretching Gebre Selassie.
8 min It’s all Bayern, as you’d expect. They are so smooth and confident in possession.
6 min “Hi Rob,” says Ruth Purdue. “Am I alone thinking that this Bayern team are one of the favourites for this year’s European Cup?”
Nope. I’d probably make them the favourites, though they might be a bit rusty by the time the competition resumes. Mind you, the other teams could be completely shattered.
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4 min Lewandowski flicks a pass to Davies, who fizzes a low cross that is poked wide by Muller. Davies was offside, as it turned out.
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2 min Bayern win the first corner on the left. Kimmich takes it short, gets it back and crosses towards the far post. Friedl heads clear and is fouled by Lewandowski.
1 min Peep peep! Bremen get the game under way.
Here come the players, to a rousing reception from the tannoy. Bremen are in green; Bayern are in red; Hansi Flick is wearing a special Bayern facemask. The scenes.
Borussia Monchengladbach 3-0 Wolfsburg is the final score in the early game. Gladbach were excellent and cruised to victory. Here’s the updated table.
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“Hi Rob,” says Ewan. “Looking forward to tonight’s game. Bayern have been ace looking at the stats - much better than Man Utd who I happen to sadly support. Managed to get a hold of the living room television tonight - so will be tuning in! My prediction is a 2-0 Bayern win to seal title.”
I fear it could be a big uglier than that for Bremen.
Gladbach are hammering Wolfsburg in the early game. A lovely team goal, finished off by Lars Stindl, has made it 3-0 after 65 minutes. Victory will move them into the top four, although Leverkusen have a game in hand. Here’s the as-it-stands table.
Some pre-match reading
Team news
Leonardo Bittencourt returns to the Bremen starting XI, while Claudio Pizarro, 41, is back on the bench. Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller return from suspension for Bayern.
Werder Bremen (3-4-2-1) Pavlenka; Veljkovic, Vogt, Moisander; Gebre Selassie, M Eggestein, Klaassen, Friedl; Bittencourt, Rashica; Osako.
Substitutes: Kapino, Langkamp, Bartels, Gross, Bargfrede, Selke, Fullkrug, Pizarro, Sargent,
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1) Neuer; Pavard, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Coman, Muller, Gnabry; Lewandowski.
Substitutes: Ulreich, Odriozola, Hernandez, Richards, Cuisance, Singh, Batista Meier, Zirkzee, Okyere Wriedt.
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Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Bremen’s biggest virtual party of the year. For once, it’s the hosts who want to poop the party: Werder Bremen are desperate to deny Bayern Munich the victory that would clinch an eighth consecutive title. Bremen’s attitude isn’t born of spite or collective sociopathy, or because Tyler Durden has got in their ear. It’s pure necessity. Bremen, who have spent more seasons in the Bundesliga than any other team, are scrapping for their lives.
With three games remaining, Bremen are second from bottom. But they are only one goal behind Fortuna Dusseldorf in the relegation playoff place and three behind Mainz, who they play on Saturday, in 15th. Bremen’s form has been decent of late, with three wins in the last six games, including a 5-1 pounding of the bottm club Paderborn on Saturday.
Sadly for Bremen, all three victories came away from home. Their form at the Weserstadion has been abysmal all season. We repeat these stats every time we do a Werder home game, with good reason: they’ve had no home wins since the start of September and only one home draw since the start of November.
The biggest problem for Werder tonight is that, since early December, Bayern’s form everywhere has been awesome. Their 6-1 victory in the return fixture – a faraway time when they were seventh in the table – was the beginning of a devastating run of league form: P17 W16 D1 L0 F57 A11.
A surge like that has only one logical conclusion, a 30th German title for Bayern. But Bremen would rather it didn’t happen on their watch.
Kick off 7.30pm, 8.30pm CEST
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