In pictures: Bayern Munich's title-winning campaign
It was the bare minimum, but Bayern Munich have achieved it. The title has been secured at least after dreams of another treble were dashed on two further fronts. Enjoy a look-back at Bayern's season in pictures.
Been there, got the T-shirt
The celebrations were fairly routine after Bayern secured their 27th German championship. Following the decisive 6-0 win in Wolfsburg, the players revealed t-shirts with a handprint representing five straight Bundesliga titles. A little song and dance but the traditional beer shower was missing. Just the one shield instead of three trophies.
Dreams of the treble
The stated aim at the start of the season was unmistakable: The league, cup and Champions League treble. New coach Carlo Ancelotti was expected to deliver. The Italian had already lifted Europe's ultimate prize with Real Madrid and AC Milan. And his squad was bolstered further still by several high-profile signings.
Eye-catching arrivals
It was a case of "back home" for Mats Hummels. After eight-and-a-half successful years at Borussia Dortmund, the World Cup winner returned to the club where he started his career to link up with Germany teammate Jerome Boateng at club level. Fresh from winning the European Championship, Renato Sanches arrived full of promise. But the Portuguese wonderkid struggled to live up to expectations.
The last waltz
If Renato Sanches is just beginning his career, two legends of the game decided to hang up their boots. Philipp Lahm ended his playing days after picking up 21 trophies at Bayern, including eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League. Xabi Alonso also called it a day after a glittering career.
Clear signal
Bayern made a clear statement of intent on the opening day, crushing Werder Bremen 6-0. Robert Lewandowski underlined his credentials with a hat-trick. Right from the start, it seemed Bayern would dominate once again.
Not invincible
Eleven matches in, Bayern proved they could be beaten after a 1-0 defeat in Dortmund. Thomas Müller was frustrated at the performance on a team and personal level. With only five goals all season, Müller failed to meet his own high standards. Bayern got their revenge in the return match, cruising to a 4-1 win.
New kids on the block
For many years, Borussia Dortmund had been Bayern's main challengers. But this season, a new pretender to the throne emerged. Bundesliga new boys RB Leipzig took the league by storm, but met their match against the men from Munich. Bayern triumphed 3-0 in the first meeting to teach the promoted side a lesson.
Traditional whipping boys
Hamburg SV have become a welcome guest in Munich. Once rivals for the title many moons ago, Bayern regularly make a habit of destroying the northern giants on home soil. Recent results have included 9-2, 6-0 and 5-0 thrashings. This season saw an 8-0 shellacking with a Lewandowski hat-trick thrown in for good measure.
'We were cheated'
The death of a dream. Bayern's Champions League adventure ended at the quarterfinal stage following two defeats to Real Madrid. After going down 2-1 at home, Bayern had clawed themselves back into the tie in Madrid, but eventually went down 4-2. Several dubious decisions by referee Viktor Kassai led CEO Karl-Heinz Rumenigge to claim "we were cheated."
Running out of steam
The league game against Dortmund was won in style, but that defeat in Madrid led to a mini-crisis on the home front. Bayern could only manage a draw against relegation-threatened Leverkusen and Mainz, giving Leipzig renewed hope. But the real low point came in the DFB Cup...
Left out in the rain
It was not how Philipp Lahm imagined his last game in the German Cup would play out. After leading 2-1, Bayern crashed out in the semifinals following a 3-2 defeat at home to Borussia Dortmund. First the treble, then the double dream was destroyed.