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Bayern Munich eased past Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-0 in the Bundesliga as the champions’ club legend Thomas Müller bade farewell in his final home game after 25 years at the club.
The 35-year-old Müller, who came through the Bayern youth ranks to win dozens of titles including a record 13 league crowns and two Champions League trophies, was the focus even before the start.
He enjoyed a brief farewell ceremony with club chiefs, complete with flowers and a picture of him and all the trophies, before his 750th game for Bayern in all competitions. But it was Gladbach who were in control at the start and in more of an attacking mood.
Bayern, who secured their 34th German league title last week, struck against the run of play when Harry Kane’s header slightly deflected Michael Olise’s shot in the 31st minute for the Bundesliga top scorer’s 25th league goal. The England captain is on track to become the first player in Bundesliga history to win the top scorer title in both his first two campaigns, with one game left to play in the season.
Bayern eased up after the break and would have paid the price but for Manuel Neuer’s successful comeback from injury with a string of saves. Olise made sure of the win in the 90th minute, shortly after Müller came off to a standing ovation. He was the first to lift the trophy aloft at the end of the game after captain, Neuer, handed it to him.
“I loved being a modern gladiator,” Müller told the crowd. “But I am not sad. I look forward to what is ahead even though it won’t be half as good. We all knew this moment would come. For many, including myself, it is a tough moment but a beautiful one too. The appreciation you gave me is unique.”
Kane, in between the traditional beer showers from teammates, said it was an “incredible feeling” to win his first trophy. “It was a long time coming,” he said. “Lots of hard work and sacrifices for moments like this to celebrate with the fans. Hopefully first of many, we have a great team and a great coach.”
Bochum and Holstein Kiel were relegated as a result of defeats by Mainz and Freiburg. Bochum, who had been promoted in 2021, are bottom on 22 points and would have been relegated anyway, because 16th-placed Heidenheim moved up to 29 points by beating Union Berlin 3-0. As it was Bochum went down 4-1 at home.
Mainz went in front in first-half stoppage time thanks to Nadiem Amiri’s superb free-kick. Phillipp Mwene struck eight minutes after the restart and Jonathan Burkardt made it 3-0 to seal Bochum’s fate and lift Mainz into sixth place that leads to the Conference League competition. Bochum cut the deficit through Gerrit Holtmann’s low drive before Paul Nebel scored for Mainz in stoppage time.
Holstein, who won promotion last season, took a 24th-minute lead through Lasse Rosenboom but Freiburg, battling for a top-four finish and Champions League football next season, levelled in first-half stoppage time through Johan Manzambi before Lucas Höler headed in at the far post to make it 2-1.
The result left Holstein four points behind Heidenheim, who occupy the relegation playoff spot. Freiburg are fourth on 55 points, with Borussia Dortmund, in fifth on 51, taking on Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday. Mainz are sixth, level with Dortmund, who have played a game fewer, and RB Leipzig, whose 0-0 draw at Werder Bremen meant they missed out on the Champions League.
Sporting will have to wait until the final day of the Primeira Liga season as they attempt to retain the Portuguese title after being held to a 1-1 draw at second-placed Benfica. The Portuguese capital pair started the match level on points but Sporting, with the advantage due to their head-to-head record, edged closer to a 21st league title when Francisco Trincão fired them into the lead after four minutes.
Benfica equalised in the 63rd through Kerem Akturkoglu’s tap-in from close range after Vangelis Pavlidis sliced through Sporting’s defence with a dazzling solo run, bringing the home crowd at the Estádio da Luz back to life.
Sporting remain in pole position and will clinch the title by at least matching Benfica’s result on the final day. They host Vitoria Guimarães while Benfica visit Sporting Braga in what will be a dramatic conclusion to the season next Saturday.
The Lazio substitute Matías Vecino struck a stoppage-time equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at home to 10-man Juventus in the battle for Champions League qualifying places in Serie A.
Juve broke the deadlock in the 51st minute through Randal Kolo Muani, who nodded past goalkeeper Christos Mandas, before Vecino levelled with a header six minutes into added time. Juventus had defender Pierre Kalulu sent off on the hour mark for a foul on striker Taty Castellanos.
With two games left, Juve are fourth, level on 64 points with Lazio in fifth and a point above sixth-placed AS Roma, who travel to third-placed Atalanta (68) on Monday.
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This story will be updated
