Tears, cheers in Munich as Bayern claims another Bundesliga


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BERLIN (AP) — First came the tears, then the cheers.

Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben scored in their last Bundesliga appearances for Bayern Munich to clinch a record-extending seventh straight league title after routing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 on Saturday.

Ribery was honored for 12 years of service before the game, and Robben for 10, and the teary-eyed wingers repaid the tributes after coming on as second-half substitutes.

Ribery eluded two Frankfurt defenders before chipping Kevin Trapp to sign off in style in the 72nd minute. Seven minutes later, David Alaba gave Robben a tap-in.

Kingsley Coman, David Alaba and Renato Sanches also scored to ensure Bayern finished two points ahead of Borussia Dortmund, which kept the pressure on to the last by winning at Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-0.

It was the first time Bayern clinched the league title in its own stadium since moving into its new home in 2005, and the first time it was decided on the final day since 2009 when Wolfsburg finished ahead of the Bavarian powerhouse.

Dortmund, which enjoyed a nine-point lead over Bayern at one point, was left hoping for a favor from Frankfurt, which hadn't beaten the defending champions in 15 league games and lost on its last nine visits to Munich.

FRANKFURT CONSOLATION

It looked like being a bitter end to a brilliant season for Frankfurt, which lost in the Europa League semifinals to Chelsea on penalties.

Adi Hütter's side was fourth and in the last place for Champions League qualification with two rounds remaining and would have finished emptyhanded in eighth had Mainz not come from behind to beat 10-man Hoffenheim 4-2.

Frankfurt finished seventh and clinched the last Europa League place.

Bayer Leverkusen claimed the last Champions League place beating Hertha Berlin 5-1, dropping previously fourth-placed Gladbach to the Europa League, where it was joined by Wolfsburg after an 8-1 rout of Augsburg in Bruno Labbadia's last game as coach.

EVERGREEN PIZARRO

The 40-year-old Claudio Pizarro scored late for Werder Bremen to beat Leipzig 2-1 at home.

Also, Schalke drew at home with Stuttgart 0-0, Fortuna Duesseldorf defeated relegated Hannover 2-1, and Freiburg routed the other relegated side, Nuremberg, 5-1.

DAY OF FAREWELLS

It was a day of farewells across the Bundesliga. Bayern not only paid tribute to Robben and Ribery, but also Brazilian defender Rafinha after eight seasons.

Elsewhere, Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick is making way for Julian Nagelsmann, who coached his last game for Hoffenheim.

Dieter Hecking coached his last game for Gladbach, as did Labbadia at Wolfsburg.

Huub Stevens finished his third stint in charge at Schalke, Boris Schommers' tenure of relegated Nuremberg ended, and Pal Dardai's 23-year association with Hertha Berlin ended after 4 1/2 years as coach.

Nico Willig still has a two-leg relegation playoff with Stuttgart against the team that finishes third in the second division before his departure.

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More AP German soccer coverage: https://apnews.com/Bundesliga and https://twitter.com/AP\_Sports

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Ciarán Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAP

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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