<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bayern-confirm-ribery-departure-and-farewell-match-216093">Champions Bayern Munich</a> beat RB Leipzig 3-0 on Saturday thanks to two goals from Robert Lewandowski to win their 19th German Cup and complete a domestic league and Cup double.

Bundesliga top scorer Lewandowski headed the champions into the lead in the 29th minute, wrong-footing keeper Peter Gulacsi, and Kingsley Coman`s superb first touch and shot in the 78th made it 2-0.

Lewandowski sealed the win with a fine run and superb finish in the 85th minute.

It was the 12th time Bayern won the double as coach Niko Kovac, who lifted the Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt last year and led them to 2017 final, became the first man to win the double with Bayern both as player and coach.

But Bayern also had to thank keeper Manuel Neuer who returned from injury and made two superb point-blank saves to protect their one-goal lead.

"It was the toughest opponent we could have had and we saw that in the opening 30 minutes," said Kovac, whose future at the club looks more secure after winning two titles in the past week.

"Manuel Neuer kept us in the game with two superb saves but overall the victory was deserved," he said. "We had tough times back in October and November so compliments to the team. To be here with two titles makes me very proud."

Leipzig enjoyed the better start and had the first big chance with Yussuf Poulsen`s header palmed on to the crossbar by Neuer in a reflex save before Lewandowski put them ahead.

Coman came close to a second goal but his effort on an empty goal was headed away at the last moment by Ibrahima Konate.

In a highly entertaining game, Neuer again comes to the rescue by stopping Emil Forsberg in a one-on-one situation.

The Bavarians hit back with Coman to create a two-goal cushion before Poland striker Lewandowski struck again to kill off any lingering Leipzig hopes.

"I am very satisfied with the way we played well and won clearly," Lewandowski said. "We had the game under control and the second half we pushed a bit more and won the Cup.

"We gave everything for the double. At the end we can say that this season was very good for us," Lewandowski said.

Bayern winger Franck Ribery, who is leaving Munich along with Arjen Robben, came on as a late substitute to make a record eighth German Cup final appearance in his last game for the club.

Champions Bayern Munich beat RB Leipzig 3-0 on Saturday thanks to two goals from Robert Lewandowski to win their 19th German Cup and complete a domestic league and Cup double.

Champions Bayern Munich beat RB Leipzig 3-0 on Saturday thanks to two goals from Robert Lewandowski to win their 19th German Cup and complete a domestic league and Cup double. Bundesliga top scorer Lewandowski headed the champions into the lead in the 29th minute, wrong-footing keeper Peter Gulacsi, and Kingsley Coman`s superb first touch and shot in the 78th made it 2-0. Lewandowski sealed the win with a fine run and superb finish in the 85th minute. It was the 12th time Bayern won the double as coach Niko Kovac, who lifted the Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt last year and led them to 2017 final, became the first man to win the double with Bayern both as player and coach. But Bayern also had to thank keeper Manuel Neuer who returned from injury and made two superb point-blank saves to protect their one-goal lead. "It was the toughest opponent we could have had and we saw that in the opening 30 minutes," said Kovac, whose future at the club looks more secure after winning two titles in the past week. "Manuel Neuer kept us in the game with two superb saves but overall the victory was deserved," he said. "We had tough times back in October and November so compliments to the team. To be here with two titles makes me very proud." Leipzig enjoyed the better start and had the first big chance with Yussuf Poulsen`s header palmed on to the crossbar by Neuer in a reflex save before Lewandowski put them ahead. Coman came close to a second goal but his effort on an empty goal was headed away at the last moment by Ibrahima Konate. In a highly entertaining game, Neuer again comes to the rescue by stopping Emil Forsberg in a one-on-one situation. The Bavarians hit back with Coman to create a two-goal cushion before Poland striker Lewandowski struck again to kill off any lingering Leipzig hopes. "I am very satisfied with the way we played well and won clearly," Lewandowski said. "We had the game under control and the second half we pushed a bit more and won the Cup. "We gave everything for the double. At the end we can say that this season was very good for us," Lewandowski said. Bayern winger Franck Ribery, who is leaving Munich along with Arjen Robben, came on as a late substitute to make a record eighth German Cup final appearance in his last game for the club.

Robert Lewandowski strikes twice as Bayern seal German double

Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski says he envisages finishing his career with the Bavarian club after this summer's talk of a possible transfer for the prolific Pole.

"I'm not thinking of changing club. I admit it, this summer it could have been a subject for debate but that's now all finished," Lewandowski said in an interview with German sports daily Bild.

"It's very likely that I'll stay here for a long time. I identify totally with Bayern," added the 30-year-old who joined Bayern in 2014 but who was on the radar of both Real Madrid and Chelsea in the summer.

Bayern bosses, however, averted a transfer, insisting that last season's top Bundesliga scorer, with 29 goals, was not for sale.

"I have the feeling that since all these rumours and problems were buried, I am once again with all my heart with Bayern, at 100 per cent."

Lewandowski, however, did urge Bayern to sign up some stars to help their bid for a first Champions League trophy since 2013.

The German champions have been linked with a big-money move for French World Cup-winning defender Lucas Hernandez from Atletico Madrid.

"It would help us more if one or two world-class players join us rather than five good-level players," he said.

Bayern face a tough draw in Champions League last 16, where they will play Premier League leaders Liverpool, away on February 19 and home on March 13.

Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski says he envisages finishing his career with the Bavarian club after this summer's talk of a possible transfer for the prolific Pole.

Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski says he envisages finishing his career with the Bavarian club after this summer's talk of a possible transfer for the prolific Pole. "I'm not thinking of changing club. I admit it, this summer it could have been a subject for debate but that's now all finished," Lewandowski said in an interview with German sports daily Bild. "It's very likely that I'll stay here for a long time. I identify totally with Bayern," added the 30-year-old who joined Bayern in 2014 but who was on the radar of both Real Madrid and Chelsea in the summer. Bayern bosses, however, averted a transfer, insisting that last season's top Bundesliga scorer, with 29 goals, was not for sale. "I have the feeling that since all these rumours and problems were buried, I am once again with all my heart with Bayern, at 100 per cent." Lewandowski, however, did urge Bayern to sign up some stars to help their bid for a first Champions League trophy since 2013. The German champions have been linked with a big-money move for French World Cup-winning defender Lucas Hernandez from Atletico Madrid. "It would help us more if one or two world-class players join us rather than five good-level players," he said. Bayern face a tough draw in Champions League last 16, where they will play Premier League leaders Liverpool, away on February 19 and home on March 13.

Robert Lewandowski envisages ending career at Bayern

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scored once in each half and set up a third goal to steer the German champions, playing with 10 men, to a 3-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday for their first win in five games in all competitions.

The Poland striker opened his account on the half hour and doubled it four minutes after the re-start to give embattled Bayern a much-needed boost, a day after club bosses launched a scathing attack on the media while backing coach Niko Kovac and his players despite their dip in form.

"We had a lot of pressure," Kovac told reporters. "We wanted everyone to focus over 90 minutes and give it all for the club. The team did this unusually well and the final score is fully deserved.

"Overall it was a solid performance, even when we were down to 10 men. Even when they pulled a goal back we did not falter."

The game looked to be turning for the hosts in the 57th minute when Bayern winger Arjen Robben was sent off after a second booking. It was the Dutchman's first dismissal in more than seven years.

The Wolves then cut the deficit through Wout Weghorst six minutes later and launched an all-out offensive in search of the equaliser before James Rodriguez stunned the home crowed with a curling shot following a Lewandowski pass.

The win will no doubt ease some of the pressure on Kovac, in his first season at Bayern, and the team can earn more bonus points with fans if they beat AEK Athens in Greece in the Champions League next week.

Bayern, whose president Uli Hoeness and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Friday accused the media of unfair and "shameful" reporting of their team's current form, are now provisionally in second place on 16 points, four behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scored once in each half and set up a third goal to steer the German champions, playing with 10 men, to a 3-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday for their first win in five games in all competitions.

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scored once in each half and set up a third goal to steer the German champions, playing with 10 men, to a 3-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday for their first win in five games in all competitions. The Poland striker opened his account on the half hour and doubled it four minutes after the re-start to give embattled Bayern a much-needed boost, a day after club bosses launched a scathing attack on the media while backing coach Niko Kovac and his players despite their dip in form. "We had a lot of pressure," Kovac told reporters. "We wanted everyone to focus over 90 minutes and give it all for the club. The team did this unusually well and the final score is fully deserved. "Overall it was a solid performance, even when we were down to 10 men. Even when they pulled a goal back we did not falter." The game looked to be turning for the hosts in the 57th minute when Bayern winger Arjen Robben was sent off after a second booking. It was the Dutchman's first dismissal in more than seven years. The Wolves then cut the deficit through Wout Weghorst six minutes later and launched an all-out offensive in search of the equaliser before James Rodriguez stunned the home crowed with a curling shot following a Lewandowski pass. The win will no doubt ease some of the pressure on Kovac, in his first season at Bayern, and the team can earn more bonus points with fans if they beat AEK Athens in Greece in the Champions League next week. Bayern, whose president Uli Hoeness and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Friday accused the media of unfair and "shameful" reporting of their team's current form, are now provisionally in second place on 16 points, four behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Robert Lewandowski double hands Bayern first win in five games

Two strikes from captain Robert Lewandowski followed by goals from Dawid Kownacki and Jakub Blaszczykowski gave Poland a 4-0 victory over Lithuania in their final pre-World Cup friendly in Warsaw on Tuesday.

Poland took the lead after 19 minutes when Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski, preparing for his first appearance at a World Cup, finished a team move with a precise strike.

The 29-year-old doubled his tally after the half-hour mark from a free kick, following a foul on teammate Arkadiusz Milik. Lewandowski's strike cannoned off the bar and bounced out of the goal but the referee was informed by goal-line technology that the ball had indeed crossed the line.

Poland coach Adam Nawalka gave his talisman a rest at halftime, but the team continued to score in his absence. Sampdoria's Kownacki found the net after being set up by his club teammate Bartosz Bereszynski in the 71st minute.

Blaszczykowski completed the rout ten minutes later when he converted a penalty after the Video Assistant Referee signalled that Lithuania's Algis Jankauskas had handled the ball in the area.

Poland begins their World Cup Group H campaign in Moscow against Senegal on June 19, before facing Colombia and Japan.

Poland coach Adam Nawalka gave his talisman a rest at halftime, but the team continued to score in his absence

Two strikes from captain Robert Lewandowski followed by goals from Dawid Kownacki and Jakub Blaszczykowski gave Poland a 4-0 victory over Lithuania in their final pre-World Cup friendly in Warsaw on Tuesday. Poland took the lead after 19 minutes when Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski, preparing for his first appearance at a World Cup, finished a team move with a precise strike. The 29-year-old doubled his tally after the half-hour mark from a free kick, following a foul on teammate Arkadiusz Milik. Lewandowski's strike cannoned off the bar and bounced out of the goal but the referee was informed by goal-line technology that the ball had indeed crossed the line. Poland coach Adam Nawalka gave his talisman a rest at halftime, but the team continued to score in his absence. Sampdoria's Kownacki found the net after being set up by his club teammate Bartosz Bereszynski in the 71st minute. Blaszczykowski completed the rout ten minutes later when he converted a penalty after the Video Assistant Referee signalled that Lithuania's Algis Jankauskas had handled the ball in the area. Poland begins their World Cup Group H campaign in Moscow against Senegal on June 19, before facing Colombia and Japan.

Lithuania fall 4-1 to Poland in World Cup warm-up

Thomas Mueller says Bayern Munich could repeat their 2013 treble after crushing 10-man Besiktas 5-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

Bayern have one foot in the quarter-finals with Besiktas facing a near impossible task for the return leg in Istanbul on March 14.

Both Mueller and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern ran riot in the second half in Germany.

&quot;Everything is possible,&quot; Mueller said when asked whether Bayern can repeat their 2013 haul of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles.

However head coach Jupp Heynckes, 72, who oversaw the treble five years ago, insists Bayern must do better if they want all three titles again.

&quot;Any talk like that is the job of journalists, the Champions League is a different competition and we must improve,&quot; said Heynckes.

&quot;Everyone in the stadium saw that we found it hard in the first half.

&quot;We didn&#39;t find our rhythm and we were nervous -- I don&#39;t know my team like that.

&quot;In the first half there wasn&#39;t any tempo to our game, our passing was off and it allowed Besiktas to attack us more.

&quot;The opener before the break gave us a psychological advantage and in the second half we saw a different Bayern team.

&quot;We scored some great goals and played some good football.&quot;

- Costly red card -

Disaster struck for Besiktas after just 16 minutes at the Allianz Arena when Croatian defender Domagoj Vida was sent off for hauling down Lewandowski as he was through on goal.

Mueller broke the deadlock just before half-time when he scored his first from close range.

The floodgates then opened after the break as Kingsley Coman struck before Mueller poached his second.

Lewandowski then scored two late goals to leave him with 29 goals in all competitions this season, as Bayern -- 19 points clear in the league and through to the German Cup semi-finals -- claimed their 14th straight victory.

Mueller said the introduction of veteran wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery off the bench made the difference.

&quot;It&#39;s been five years since all our outfield players were fit and the trainer doesn&#39;t have it easy, but everyone who came on did a good job,&quot; said Mueller.

&quot;Arjen made us a bit more aggressive, Franck also did well and we need that extra bit of power from the bench.&quot;

Robben came on when James Rodriguez limped off with a calf injury on 44 minutes.

The Dutchman was heavily involved in Mueller and Lewandowski&#39;s second goals, but was unhappy at being left out of the starting side.

- &#39;Speak my mind&#39; -

&quot;Of course, I was disappointed, but I don&#39;t want to say any more because if I speak my mind, I will end up in front of &#39;Brazzo&#39; (Bayern&#39;s director of sport Hasan Salihamidizic),&quot; said Robben.

Like Ribery, Robben, who scored Bayern&#39;s winning goal in the 2013 Champions League final is out of contract in June.

However, Heynckes sees it as a positive to have so much experience on Bayern&#39;s bench.

&quot;I am very pleased to have a squad like this in case of injuries and illness in the future,&quot; he said.

&quot;Any top player like Arjen Robben wants to play from the start, but we have so many good players.

&quot;Anyone who signs a contract for Bayern Munich has to accept that they won&#39;t start every game.&quot;

Besiktas were making their debut in the knock-out stages of the Champions League and their head coach Senol Gunes said his side learned a harsh lesson.

&quot;We won or drew all our games in the group phase, but tonight the opponent was better,&quot; he said glumly.

&quot;After the sending off, it became too difficult for us.

&quot;We suffered mentally and physically, they took advantage.&quot;

Gunes swapped striker Vagner Love for defender Dusko Tosic in the second half, but it made little difference.

&quot;We tried to limit the damage and focus on the second half, but we couldn&#39;t manage it,&quot; said the Besiktas boss.

&quot;We are an attacking team, but we had to defend and we couldn&#39;t play our football because the opponent was too strong.&quot;

Thomas Mueller says Bayern Munich could repeat their 2013 treble after crushing 10-man Besiktas 5-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. Bayern have one foot in the quarter-finals with Besiktas facing a near impossible task for the return leg in Istanbul on March 14. Both Mueller and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern ran riot in the second half in Germany. "Everything is possible," Mueller said when asked whether Bayern can repeat their 2013 haul of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles. However head coach Jupp Heynckes, 72, who oversaw the treble five years ago, insists Bayern must do better if they want all three titles again. "Any talk like that is the job of journalists, the Champions League is a different competition and we must improve," said Heynckes. "Everyone in the stadium saw that we found it hard in the first half. "We didn't find our rhythm and we were nervous -- I don't know my team like that. "In the first half there wasn't any tempo to our game, our passing was off and it allowed Besiktas to attack us more. "The opener before the break gave us a psychological advantage and in the second half we saw a different Bayern team. "We scored some great goals and played some good football." - Costly red card - Disaster struck for Besiktas after just 16 minutes at the Allianz Arena when Croatian defender Domagoj Vida was sent off for hauling down Lewandowski as he was through on goal. Mueller broke the deadlock just before half-time when he scored his first from close range. The floodgates then opened after the break as Kingsley Coman struck before Mueller poached his second. Lewandowski then scored two late goals to leave him with 29 goals in all competitions this season, as Bayern -- 19 points clear in the league and through to the German Cup semi-finals -- claimed their 14th straight victory. Mueller said the introduction of veteran wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery off the bench made the difference. "It's been five years since all our outfield players were fit and the trainer doesn't have it easy, but everyone who came on did a good job," said Mueller. "Arjen made us a bit more aggressive, Franck also did well and we need that extra bit of power from the bench." Robben came on when James Rodriguez limped off with a calf injury on 44 minutes. The Dutchman was heavily involved in Mueller and Lewandowski's second goals, but was unhappy at being left out of the starting side. - 'Speak my mind' - "Of course, I was disappointed, but I don't want to say any more because if I speak my mind, I will end up in front of 'Brazzo' (Bayern's director of sport Hasan Salihamidizic)," said Robben. Like Ribery, Robben, who scored Bayern's winning goal in the 2013 Champions League final is out of contract in June. However, Heynckes sees it as a positive to have so much experience on Bayern's bench. "I am very pleased to have a squad like this in case of injuries and illness in the future," he said. "Any top player like Arjen Robben wants to play from the start, but we have so many good players. "Anyone who signs a contract for Bayern Munich has to accept that they won't start every game." Besiktas were making their debut in the knock-out stages of the Champions League and their head coach Senol Gunes said his side learned a harsh lesson. "We won or drew all our games in the group phase, but tonight the opponent was better," he said glumly. "After the sending off, it became too difficult for us. "We suffered mentally and physically, they took advantage." Gunes swapped striker Vagner Love for defender Dusko Tosic in the second half, but it made little difference. "We tried to limit the damage and focus on the second half, but we couldn't manage it," said the Besiktas boss. "We are an attacking team, but we had to defend and we couldn't play our football because the opponent was too strong."

Mueller starts treble talk as Bayern rout Besiktas

Bayern Munich were crowned Bundesliga champions for the fifth straight season on Saturday after Robert Lewandowski scored twice in a 6-0 thrashing of 10-man Wolfsburg. 
 
After second-placed RB Leipzig were held to a goalless draw by Ingolstadt, Bayern wrapped up the title with a thumping away victory that left them 10 points clear with three games left. 
 
&quot;Five times in a row, that&#39;s unbelievable. We completely deserve to be champions,&quot; Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Sky. 
 
Carlo Ancelotti has delivered a 27th league title in his first season as Bayern&#39;s head coach. 
 
&quot;I am very happy, this win was important and it&#39;s a fantastic experience,&quot; said the Italian. 
 
Ancelotti has now won four national league titles after also lifting the Premier League with Chelsea, Serie A with AC Milan and Ligue 1 with Paris Saint Germain. 
 
&quot;I want to thank this great club,&quot; he said. &quot;We deserved the title and have played good football, now is the time to celebrate.&quot; 
 
Lewandowski&#39;s brace leaves the Polish predator on 28 goals this season, one more than Borussia Dortmund&#39;s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the race to be the league&#39;s top marksman. 
 
The league triumph is consolation for Wednesday&#39;s 3-2 German Cup semi-final defeat at home to Dortmund, which denied Ancelotti the chance of emulating predecessor Pep Guardiola with the domestic double in his first&nbsp;season.&nbsp;It&nbsp;also goes a small way towards making up for the disappointment of going out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League to Real Madrid. 
 
Bayern were barely made to work for their win as David Alaba drilled home a trademark free-kick on 19 minutes to put the visitors 1-0 up after a foul on Thomas Mueller. 
 
Lewandowski doubled the lead on 36 minutes when Kingsley Coman`s cross was flicked on by Mueller and the Poland hot-shot fired home. 
 
He bagged his second and Bayern`s third just before the half-time whistle after Coman delivered another cross from the left wing. 
 
The floodgates opened late on as Arjen Robben netted on 66 minutes before Wolfsburg`s Luiz Gustavo, a former Bayern player, was sent off for a second booking on 78 minutes. 
 
Bayern exploited their numerical advantage as Mueller banged home Lewandowski&#39;s pass before Joshua Kimmich sealed the rout.Bayern&#39;s latest comfortable title win was made possible by Leipzig&#39;s draw at the Red Bull Arena, where Ingolstadt defender Alfredo Morales was sent off with four minutes to play. 
 
Dortmund, who face Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Cup final on May 27, hold on to third place, which would mean a direct Champions League place next season, despite their goalless draw at home to Cologne. 
 
Both Aubameyang and Cologne`s Anthony Modeste, who has 23 league goals, drew blanks at Signal Iduna Park.&nbsp; 
 
Hoffenheim, coached by Julian Nagelsmann, 29, the youngest coach in Bundesliga history, can leapfrog Dortmund if they beat Eintracht in Frankfurt on Sunday. 
 
Werder Bremen`s remarkable finish to the season continues as they earned a 2-0 win to home to Hertha Berlin to stay sixth. 
 
Bremen remain on course for a Europa League place having risen from bottom in September after losing their first four games. 
 
Werder striker Max Kruse`s dream April continued as he netted Bremen`s second after Fin Bartels`s opener for his eighth goal in six games this month. 
 
Bremen are unbeaten in their last 11 games. 
 
Mainz remain just a point from the bottom three after Japan striker Yoshinori Muto scored their consolation goal in a 2-1 home defeat. Lars Stindl and Nico Schulz scored for Borussia Moenchengladbach. 
 
Plucky bottom side Darmstadt again delayed their relegation with a 3-0 win at home to Freiburg. 
 
Torsten Frings-coached Darmstadt picked up their third straight victory thanks to goals by Felix Platte, Jerome Gondorf and Sven Schipplock. 
 
Darmstadt are still eight points from safety with three games left. 
 
(AFP)

Robert Lewandowski scored twice in a 6-0 thrashing of 10-man Wolfsburg

Bayern Munich were crowned Bundesliga champions for the fifth straight season on Saturday after Robert Lewandowski scored twice in a 6-0 thrashing of 10-man Wolfsburg. After second-placed RB Leipzig were held to a goalless draw by Ingolstadt, Bayern wrapped up the title with a thumping away victory that left them 10 points clear with three games left. "Five times in a row, that's unbelievable. We completely deserve to be champions," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Sky. Carlo Ancelotti has delivered a 27th league title in his first season as Bayern's head coach. "I am very happy, this win was important and it's a fantastic experience," said the Italian. Ancelotti has now won four national league titles after also lifting the Premier League with Chelsea, Serie A with AC Milan and Ligue 1 with Paris Saint Germain. "I want to thank this great club," he said. "We deserved the title and have played good football, now is the time to celebrate." Lewandowski's brace leaves the Polish predator on 28 goals this season, one more than Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the race to be the league's top marksman. The league triumph is consolation for Wednesday's 3-2 German Cup semi-final defeat at home to Dortmund, which denied Ancelotti the chance of emulating predecessor Pep Guardiola with the domestic double in his first season. It also goes a small way towards making up for the disappointment of going out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League to Real Madrid. Bayern were barely made to work for their win as David Alaba drilled home a trademark free-kick on 19 minutes to put the visitors 1-0 up after a foul on Thomas Mueller. Lewandowski doubled the lead on 36 minutes when Kingsley Coman`s cross was flicked on by Mueller and the Poland hot-shot fired home. He bagged his second and Bayern`s third just before the half-time whistle after Coman delivered another cross from the left wing. The floodgates opened late on as Arjen Robben netted on 66 minutes before Wolfsburg`s Luiz Gustavo, a former Bayern player, was sent off for a second booking on 78 minutes. Bayern exploited their numerical advantage as Mueller banged home Lewandowski's pass before Joshua Kimmich sealed the rout.Bayern's latest comfortable title win was made possible by Leipzig's draw at the Red Bull Arena, where Ingolstadt defender Alfredo Morales was sent off with four minutes to play. Dortmund, who face Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Cup final on May 27, hold on to third place, which would mean a direct Champions League place next season, despite their goalless draw at home to Cologne. Both Aubameyang and Cologne`s Anthony Modeste, who has 23 league goals, drew blanks at Signal Iduna Park. Hoffenheim, coached by Julian Nagelsmann, 29, the youngest coach in Bundesliga history, can leapfrog Dortmund if they beat Eintracht in Frankfurt on Sunday. Werder Bremen`s remarkable finish to the season continues as they earned a 2-0 win to home to Hertha Berlin to stay sixth. Bremen remain on course for a Europa League place having risen from bottom in September after losing their first four games. Werder striker Max Kruse`s dream April continued as he netted Bremen`s second after Fin Bartels`s opener for his eighth goal in six games this month. Bremen are unbeaten in their last 11 games. Mainz remain just a point from the bottom three after Japan striker Yoshinori Muto scored their consolation goal in a 2-1 home defeat. Lars Stindl and Nico Schulz scored for Borussia Moenchengladbach. Plucky bottom side Darmstadt again delayed their relegation with a 3-0 win at home to Freiburg. Torsten Frings-coached Darmstadt picked up their third straight victory thanks to goals by Felix Platte, Jerome Gondorf and Sven Schipplock. Darmstadt are still eight points from safety with three games left. (AFP)

Bayern Munich win fifth consecutive German title

Poland face a test of patience and their nerves when they open their Euro 2016 campaign against a Northern Ireland side who want to make themselves &quot;horrible&quot; to play against. 
 
Sunday&#39;s group C match will pit one of the most attack-minded of the 24 teams at Euro 2016 against a team who have made no bones about their intentions. 
 
Spearheaded by the attacking duo of Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik, Poland were the highest-scoring team in the qualifying competition with 33 goals, 13 of them coming from Bayern Munich&#39;s Lewandowski. 
 
Coach Adam Nawalka has turned them from a counter-attacking side into one that keeps possession and build attacks carefully. 
 
He has also bucked the trend of teams playing with a single, or no, striker, expressly to give Lewandowski more support, a tactic which has worked wonders so far. 
 
The huge expectations back home, however, will put Poland under considerable pressure as they attempt to pass the group stage at the Euros for the first time, and Northern Ireland are just the team to play on their anxiety. 
 
Northern Ireland have limited resources but manager Michael O&#39;Neill clearly knows their place and makes no apologies for a playing style which is likely to prove a test of endurance for spectators as well as the opposition. 
 
&ldquo;We are going to have to be horrible to play against,&rdquo; he said recently. &ldquo;We are going to be really good without the ball, run further than any other team, drill all the statistics back in their face. Sixty-five per cent possession? We don&rsquo;t expect to have that.&rdquo; 
 
The Euro debutants&#39; squad includes 13 players based with lower-tier sides in England, five from the English Premier League, four from the Scottish Premier League and one from Australia&#39;s A-League. None of them play in continental Europe. 
 
Despite this, they conceded only eight goals in qualifying and are unbeaten in their last 12 matches, a run stretching back to March last year and the longest in the team&#39;s history. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s a fantastic achievement to be out here but having achieved that we want to leave our mark on the tournament,&quot; said O&#39;Neill. &quot;There is a sense of excitement for all of us. This is a new experience for myself (and) for all of the players.&quot; 
&nbsp;

And the Irish hope to be "horrible" to play against

Poland face a test of patience and their nerves when they open their Euro 2016 campaign against a Northern Ireland side who want to make themselves "horrible" to play against. Sunday's group C match will pit one of the most attack-minded of the 24 teams at Euro 2016 against a team who have made no bones about their intentions. Spearheaded by the attacking duo of Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik, Poland were the highest-scoring team in the qualifying competition with 33 goals, 13 of them coming from Bayern Munich's Lewandowski. Coach Adam Nawalka has turned them from a counter-attacking side into one that keeps possession and build attacks carefully. He has also bucked the trend of teams playing with a single, or no, striker, expressly to give Lewandowski more support, a tactic which has worked wonders so far. The huge expectations back home, however, will put Poland under considerable pressure as they attempt to pass the group stage at the Euros for the first time, and Northern Ireland are just the team to play on their anxiety. Northern Ireland have limited resources but manager Michael O'Neill clearly knows their place and makes no apologies for a playing style which is likely to prove a test of endurance for spectators as well as the opposition. “We are going to have to be horrible to play against,” he said recently. “We are going to be really good without the ball, run further than any other team, drill all the statistics back in their face. Sixty-five per cent possession? We don’t expect to have that.” The Euro debutants' squad includes 13 players based with lower-tier sides in England, five from the English Premier League, four from the Scottish Premier League and one from Australia's A-League. None of them play in continental Europe. Despite this, they conceded only eight goals in qualifying and are unbeaten in their last 12 matches, a run stretching back to March last year and the longest in the team's history. "It's a fantastic achievement to be out here but having achieved that we want to leave our mark on the tournament," said O'Neill. "There is a sense of excitement for all of us. This is a new experience for myself (and) for all of the players."

Poland face test of patience against Northern Ireland

robert-lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski, News on Robert Lewandowski, stories on Robert Lewandowski, articles on Robert Lewandowski, Robert Lewandowski stories at Wion, Robert Lewandowski news, Robert Lewandowski latest news

robert lewandowski