Bayern Munich’s Raphael Guerreiro and Thomas Mueller scored in the second half to secure a 2-0 win over Cologne on Saturday, postponing Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga championship festivities until at least Sunday.
The victory implies that Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, who hold a 13-point lead over Bayern, must now defeat Werder Bremen in their home game on Sunday to claim their first-ever Bundesliga title.
Ahead of the upcoming Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal, Bayern’s coach Thomas Tuchel made seven alterations to his lineup, with both Harry Kane and Mathys Tel narrowly missing goals in the opening half.
Guerreiro, a former Borussia Dortmund talent playing as left-back over Alphonso Davies, scored with a stunning curling effort from outside the penalty area 65 minutes in, breaking the stalemate.
Mueller’s goal in stoppage time solidified the win, but the triumph was bittersweet as winger Kingsley Coman suffered an injury early in the second half, casting doubt on his availability for the Arsenal match.
Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund expressed concern, stating that Coman’s condition appears serious pending further medical evaluation.
The race for the fourth spot, which guarantees a place in the Champions League, heated up as Dortmund and RB Leipzig both secured wins to remain neck-and-neck in points, setting the stage for their upcoming encounter in Saxony later in April.
