By Smartencyclopedia *

In a dramatic turn of events, Jamal Musiala’s 89th-minute goal propelled Bayern Munich to a 2-1 victory over Cologne, snatching the Bundesliga title from the grasp of Borussia Dortmund on the final day of the season.

Dortmund, who held a two-point lead going into the last round, could only manage a 2-2 draw against Mainz at home, allowing Bayern to claim first place due to their superior goal difference.

The stakes were high for Dortmund, as a victory was necessary to end Bayern’s record-breaking 10-year reign as champions. Unfortunately, they became the first team in 23 years to squander a lead on the last day of the season.

“We were just one game away from bringing the trophy back to Dortmund,” said coach Edin Terzić. “In the end, we were just one goal away. That’s very close. Tomorrow we’ll be starting again from the beginning, and we’ll work hard. From July, we’ll invest everything to do better than we did this year… Now our focus is on using the next 34 rounds to finally achieve our goal.”

Shortly after securing their 11th consecutive title, Bayern announced the dismissal of chief executive Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić. The decision was made amid scrutiny over their handling of Julian Nagelsmann’s departure as coach in March, and the subsequent appointment of Thomas Tuchel, which coincided with the team’s exits from the Champions League and German Cup.

Despite clinching the Bundesliga title, Thomas Tuchel acknowledged on Friday that it has been an unsatisfactory season overall for Bayern Munich, emphasizing that the league triumph wouldn’t overshadow their shortcomings.

In response to his dismissal, Oliver Kahn took to Twitter to congratulate the team and express his desire to celebrate with the players. However, he stated that he was unable to attend the festivities due to the club’s decision.

This remarkable victory on the final day of the season marks only the third time Bayern has managed to secure first place in such fashion. The previous instances were in 1986 against Werder Bremen and in 2000 against Bayer Leverkusen.

Reflecting on the season, Bayern veteran Thomas Müller acknowledged that there may be critics who argue that they don’t deserve the title, particularly considering the chaotic nature of their second half. Nevertheless, he highlighted the incredible moment and unity within the team that will be remembered.

Dortmund fans experienced a brief moment of celebration when Dejan Ljubicic scored a crucial penalty in the 81st minute against Bayern, which needed a victory to secure the title. However, Bayern substitute Jamal Musiala had a different plan, entering the field four minutes later and scoring the decisive goal that sealed the title for Bayern Munich.

“The situation demanded that we take risks and find a way to score. Fortunately, this time it worked out for me,” expressed the 20-year-old Musiala, reflecting on his crucial goal.

Borussia Dortmund entered the match as favorites, but the pressure mounted when Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman found the back of the net in the eighth minute against Cologne, intensifying the challenge for Dortmund.

Sébastien Haller missed a penalty in the first half after Andreas Hanche-Olsen shocked the Dortmund fans by scoring Mainz’s opening goal in the 15th minute. Karim Onisiwo added to Dortmund’s woes with another header, securing Mainz’s second goal in the 24th minute. Mainz, with nothing but pride on the line, looked capable of inflicting more damage against Dortmund’s error-prone defense.

Dortmund managed to pull one back through Raphaël Guerreiro in the 69th minute, but by the time Niklas Süle equalized in the sixth minute of injury time, it was too little, too late for the “black and yellows.”

Union Berlin’s remarkable journey reached new heights as Rani Khedira’s late goal propelled them into the prestigious Champions League. The 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen sealed Union’s fourth-place finish, surpassing Freiburg, who suffered a 2-1 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt.

The achievement left Union coach Urs Fischer in awe, describing it as surreal and a continuation of their fairy tale. Fischer, who guided the club to its historic Bundesliga promotion in 2019, celebrated yet another milestone in the team’s remarkable ascent.

Meanwhile, Schalke’s fate was sealed as they suffered a 4-2 loss against Leipzig, resulting in their relegation. On the other hand, Stuttgart secured a spot in the relegation/promotion playoff, where they will face the third-place team from the second division. Stuttgart settled for a 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim.

In another crucial match, Bochum ensured their survival with a convincing 3-0 victory over a 10-man Bayer Leverkusen side. The win provided relief for Bochum and solidified their place in the top flight for the upcoming season.

In addition, Borussia Mönchengladbach bid farewell to Lars Stindl on a high note with a 2-0 victory over Augsburg. The match marked Stindl’s final appearance for the club, and he played a key role in securing the win.

Meanwhile, Hertha Berlin, despite being already relegated, ended their Bundesliga campaign on a positive note with a 2-1 triumph over Wolfsburg. The victory provided a glimmer of joy for Hertha Berlin fans amidst the disappointment of relegation.

Source: with agencies