FC Bayern marked their 35th championship title on Munich’s Marienplatz, understanding that only a DFB-Pokal victory would truly crown their remarkable season.
The celebration was a familiar scene: after receiving the Meisterschale, the team indulged in a traditional white beer shower, followed by an all-night internal party at Nockherberg. «The players really went for it with Vincent,» reported club chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen, reflecting on the festivities. «A few are already feeling it,» added departing player Leon Goretzka.
Despite the customary celebrations, this championship felt different. «Every championship is the first,» stated coach Vincent Kompany, perfectly capturing the mood ahead of the cup final. Club patron Uli Hoeneß humorously compared the season to the Jack Nicholson film ‘As Good as It Gets’, declaring Bayern among the world’s top five teams.
89 Points, 122 Goals: A Sweet Victory
«It feels really, really good,» expressed sporting director Christoph Freund with a delighted smile after the final 5-1 victory against 1. FC Köln, which secured 89 points and an astonishing 122 goals for the season. Jonathan Tah emphasized that every title, regardless of how many have been won before, deserves to be celebrated with the same passion, rejecting any notion of taking it for granted.
Harry Kane, who scored a hat-trick in the final match to reach 36 goals and secure his third consecutive top scorer award, added, «It was a fantastic Bundesliga season. The way we did it, I find it truly impressive.»
Champions League Exit Lingers — The Double is Now Essential
However, amidst the genuine joy of the championship win, Bayern recognizes that the season’s success will be incomplete without a DFB-Pokal victory in Berlin against VfB Stuttgart. «If we don’t win,» admitted Kane, «it will leave a bitter aftertaste.»
Tah echoed these sentiments. While a treble was not to be, securing the double is now paramount. «Things didn’t go as we imagined in the Champions League,» he stated, acknowledging that while their performance in the competition, which ended in a tough semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, was respectable, they ultimately failed to win the title. Therefore, winning the cup is «naturally important for us.»
The significance of clinching their 21st DFB-Pokal title and the 14th double was repeatedly stressed. «We have to win this game,» insisted Kane, «to truly feel like we’ve taken the next step. Then we go into next season with the same mentality and try to win everything.» This includes aiming for a 36th league title, a 22nd cup, and, crucially, a seventh Champions League trophy.
For now, Saturday and Sunday were dedicated to celebrating their 35th league title. «The important thing,» said Kompany, «is that we appreciate and celebrate this title… and from Monday, we flip the switch again.»