Rival watch: Bayern win Bundesliga, Real Madrid beat Celta
MIKE ROBERTS
Pep Guardiola's side confirmed champions after Wolfsburg lose on Sunday
Chicharito scores twice as Real Madrid come from behind at Balaidos
Bayern Munich won their third consecutive Bundesliga title, and the second under Pep Guardiola, on Sunday after second placed Wolfsburg were beaten 1-0 by a last minute Kruse goal for Borussia Mönchengladbach. Barça’s Champions League semi-final opponents had beaten Hertha Berlin 1-0 on Saturday thanks to a Schweinsteiger goal on 79 minutes, and coupled with Wolfsburg’s defeat were able to celebrate a record 25th German league championship. There was further good news for the Bavarians with both Arjen Robben and Medhi Benatia returning to training and seemingly available for selection against FC Barcelona. The Dutchman is Bayern’s top scorer this season with 17 goals.
Madrid bounce back
In La Liga, Real Madrid remain two points behind Barça after coming from behind to beat Celta. Former FC Barcelona man Nolito put the Galicians ahead after 9 minutes before Kroos and Chicharito turned things around for Madrid. Santi Mina got Celta back level at 2-2 but goals either side of half-time, one for James and a second of the night for Chicharito eventually secured a hard-fought 4-2 win for the all-whites. Real Madrid’s next league game is at home to Almería on Wednesday (8.00pm CET).
Barça’s cup final opponents Athletic Bilbao stay in eighth place in La Liga after increasing the woes for bottom-placed Córdoba with a 1-0 win on Friday night. The game was decided by a 56th goal from Beñat, who benefitted from an element of good luck after the ball deflected in off a defender – and the three points mean Athletic still maintain some hope of grabbing a Europa League place next season via the league.