Philipp Lahm (2nd l.) lifts the Bundesliga shield for the first time as captain following Bayern's 3-0 victory at home to FC Augsburg
Philipp Lahm (2nd l.) lifts the Bundesliga shield for the first time as captain following Bayern's 3-0 victory at home to FC Augsburg

Bayern celebrate 22nd shield in style

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Munich - FC Bayern Munich celebrated lifting the Bundesliga shield for a record 22nd time with an ultimately comprehensive 3-0 victory at home to relegation strugglers FC Augsburg.

Legends out in force

The league leaders, who sewed up the title with six games to spare back on Matchday 28, warmed their fans up for the official post-match party with a patient but deserved win, secured thanks to second-half goals from Thomas Müller and substitutes Xherdan Shaqiri and Luiz Gustavo.

The merriment commenced well before kick-off with a Bavarian brass band entertaining the crowd before 22 Bayern legends, from Franz Beckenbauer through Lothar Matthäus to Giovane Elber, were introduced to commemorate each of Bayern's Bundesliga titles. The biggest cheer of all, however, was reserved for coach Jupp Heynckes, who stepped out for his final game in charge at the Allianz Arena before leaving for pastures new at the end of the campaign.

The veteran tactician, yet to reveal his next coaching destination, sent out his first-choice XI in a spanking new kit of all red with a white trim. The hosts looked sharp once the action was under way as well, dominating possession and creating the first opportunity with six minutes gone as Arjen Robben chipped through for Müller, whose header goalwards was tipped superbly around the post by Augsburg keeper Alex Manninger.

Werner looking lively


However, Bayern, with little left to play for in the league, were never likely to be in for a stroll with the visitors scrapping for their top-flight lives. Tobias Werner twice tested Manuel Neuer in the early stages, while Dong-Won Ji had a strong claim for a penalty waved away by referee Marco Fritz after going down under Javi Martinez's challenge.

At the other end Manninger was fortunate to be in the right place when Mario Mandzukic's point-blank shot struck him square in the face, but on the whole Augsburg were good value for the 0-0 scoreline at the break having hounded their hosts tireless throughout the first half. They started the second period brightly as well, with Werner again threatening, this time with a volley into the floor which bounced up and over the bar.

Müller makes the breakthrough


Ji also struck aluminium with an effort which took a major deflection off of Martinez, but there was to be no raining on Bayern's parade as Müller made clear with 69 minutes gone, converting Dante's first assist of the season with his head to kick-start the festivities.

Indeed, there was no doubting it was Bayern's day once Franck Ribery made his way past a clutch of Augsburg defenders before centering for substitute Shaqiri, who turned nicely on the spot before slotting in to double the champions' advantage with nine minutes to play. Luiz Gustavo then slotted in a third from another Ribery assist to wrap up a hard-fought but ultimately deserved success for the men in Red, who, after receiving the Bundesliga shield from League President Dr. Reinhard Rauball after the match, began celebrations which will continue long into the Munich night.

Line-ups and statistics

Andy James reporting from Munich