Berlin: Bayern Munich crushed Freiburg 4-1 in Philipp Lahm’s and Xabi Alonso’s farewell game to make it memorable for the departing duo.
The ‘Bavarian’, had already sealed their 27th Bundesliga title April 29. Freiburg were still in the race for a berth in the Europa League but Bayern destroyed the hopes with an early goal as retiring Alonso passed into the path of Arjen Robben, who beat goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow into the far post corner with four minutes played.
Freiburg almost punished the hosts before the break but Janik Haberer failed to slot home from promising position.
The German record champions however, were a much lethal lot in the second session. They doubled their tally in the 73rd minute when Arturo Vidal capitalised on Robben’s square pass to tap home.
Freiburg responded and reduced the arrears through Nils Petersen, who made the most of Vincenzo Grifo’s build-up work three minutes later.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men remained unimpressed and piled on the pressure to score two more goals in the closing period to leave no doubt.
Robben initiated a counter-attack and passed to Franck Ribery, whose effort from sharp angle made it 3-1. Bayern weren’t done with the scoring as Joshua Kimmich headed home in the dying minutes of the game. With the result, Bayern reaped their fourth straight win and fifth consecutive Bundesliga title.
“It is good to end with at least some prize in the bag,” Ancelotti, whose future is under a cloud in the club, said after the game. “We were very fluent in the second session.”
There were standing ovations for both Lahm and Alonso, more so for the former who had spent over two decades with the club. Both were given a lap of honour by their teammates after the end of the game.
Agencies
