Treble-chasing Bayern Munich put beer showers on ice despite title win

MUNICH – Despite sealing their 35th Bundesliga title on April 19, Bayern Munich put the celebrations, including the traditional beer showers, on ice as they continue to chase a treble this season.

The German giants came from a goal down to beat VfB Stuttgart 4-2 to move into an unassailable 15-point lead over second-placed Borussia Dortmund with just four games remaining.

While images of players chasing one another across the grass holding large glasses of beer are synonymous with Bayern’s almost-annual celebrations, the club delayed the festivities with the German Cup semi-final at Bayer Leverkusen on April 22 in mind.

Vincent Kompany’s side are also through to the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they face holders Paris Saint-Germain.

Luis Diaz had two assists and Jamal Musiala one in the first half, but both were subbed off at half-time ahead of the final phase of the season.

“I think it’s coming – yes, it’s coming,” Musiala told DAZN of the traditional beer shower celebrations.

“I think we’re planning a proper celebration, probably at the last home game. We’re going straight to the changing rooms. I don’t think much is going on right now, but definitely for the last game.”

Bayern striker Harry Kane, who has two Bundesliga titles and a Supercup since joining the Bavarian giants in 2023, said the celebrations would be sweeter with more silverware.

“I think it’s still important to celebrate and I will with my family and friends and the guys in the players’ lounge, but it’s a little bit different to last year,” he said.

“We weren’t in any other competitions, so we had the chance to really celebrate and enjoy a big night together. That probably won’t happen yet, but we’ll find time for that... For now we enjoy tonight, but then obviously the full focus will be on Wednesday.”

Before the game, Bayern coach Kompany told DAZN: “We’re now at a stage in this season where we can all live with waiting a little longer before we celebrate.”

After the game, the Belgian turned his attention to the two other trophies on offer.

“We’ve had very few losses this season. So many successes are possible. We’re going to Leverkusen. We know it’s a football match – anything can happen,” Kompany said.

“But we simply have the belief that we can do it. That’s worth a lot in football.

“The season is not over yet. There are still things to be won. PSG in the Champions League, the defending champions, it’s probably the toughest challenge. But before that, we have Leverkusen.

“I don’t want to stop here. Now come the decisive weeks. We’re looking forward to them, but we also know how difficult it will be. Our belief is there.”

Joshua Kimmich, who was captain for the match with Manuel Neuer rested, praised his side for retaining the league title, but also warned rivals the Bavarian giants were not done yet.

“The way we won the title was special. We’ve rarely won as consistently and convincingly as we did this year, but we still have a few goals this season,” he said.

Bayern last won the Champions League in 2020, the same year they reached their last German Cup final in Berlin.

With back-to-back German league titles in his two seasons in charge, Kompany, who took over from Thomas Tuchel in 2024, has quickly succeeded in re-establishing Bayern’s domestic dominance after Leverkusen broke their stranglehold with an unbeaten domestic double in 2024.

Under Kompany, they have set a number of records this season in the Bundesliga, including for the most goals scored in a campaign, but they are eager to taste European success once more and add a seventh European Cup to their collection.

“The players have to recover and prepare the game for Leverkusen. But you can have a glass of red wine in the evening and go to work tomorrow. That’s what it will be like for us. We will celebrate but obviously not really today,” he added. AFP, REUTERS