Germany After Dortmund were held to a 2-2 draw by Mainz in the final round, Bayern won the 2022-2023 Bundesliga after beating Cologne 2-1.
A draw at home to Mainz cost Dortmund the title in the final round, as Bayern beat Cologne 2-1 in the same match. Dortmund and Bayern finished the season with 71 points, but Thomas Tuchel's team won the title thanks to a superior goal difference.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer lifts the Bundesliga silver cup for Bayern in Cologne on May 27, 2023. Photo: FCB
The final round of the Bundesliga was a dramatic affair as Bayern put Dortmund under pressure, with Kingsley Coman opening the scoring against Cologne. Minutes later, Dortmund conceded a goal to Mainz, who then missed a penalty. Minutes later, Mainz surprised Dortmund again, leading 2-0. Dortmund scored twice in the second half but were unable to turn the game around. Bayern almost shot themselves in the foot when Cologne equalised, but Jamal Musiala shone and scored the decisive goal to secure Bayern's 11th consecutive title.
In the same period, Dortmund did not win the German championship, but they only had themselves to blame. Edin Terzic's team wasted too many chances, especially Haller's missed penalty. They could not create the miracle that Man City did in the Premier League in the 2011-2012 season, with the exact same scenario as the final round of the Bundesliga this season. The difference is that Aguero scored the decisive goal to bring Man City the championship, while Marco Reus and Mats Hummels both missed the chance to be Dortmund heroes.
Bayern celebrate their 2-1 win over Cologne at the Rhein Energy Stadium in Cologne, Germany on May 27, 2023. Photo: Bundesliga
Bayern's opener in Cologne seemed to have unnerved Dortmund. They were doused in cold water when visitors Mainz opened the scoring in the 15th minute from a corner. Midfielder Edimilson Fernandes crossed at the near post for defender Andreas Hanche-Olsen to head past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Dortmund immediately fought back and earned a penalty four minutes later, when midfielder Raphael Guerreiro was fouled in the visitors' penalty area. However, striker Sebastian Haller's 11m shot lacked power and precision, and was pushed away by goalkeeper Finn Dahmen.
Dortmund also called for a penalty two minutes later, when Guerreiro was pushed down in the penalty area, but this time the referee did not call. Ironically for Dortmund, a few minutes later they conceded a second goal. Midfielder Lee Jae-sung broke free down the left and crossed for striker Karim Onisiwo to head the ball into the far corner. Goalkeeper Kobel got a hand to the ball but was still unable to save it. When he saw the ball roll into the net, a Dortmund fan covered his face and shook his head.
Haller's missed penalty against Mainz at Signal Iduna Park. Photo: Bundesliga
The home side pressed the pitch and created a series of chances towards the end of the first half. But in a four-on-one situation, Julian Brandt handled the ball individually and failed to hit the post with enough difficulty to beat Dahmen. In stoppage time, it was striker Donyell Malen's turn to head the ball against the post from a tight angle.
It wasn't until the 69th minute that Dortmund pulled one back. Midfielder Giovanni Reyna came on and played a one-two with Guerreiro, who then put the ball into the net with his right foot.
In the 81st minute, Signal Iduna Park exploded, but not because of the situation on the field. Because in the same match, Bayern was awarded a penalty and then Cologne equalized 1-1. If that result had remained the same, Dortmund would have won the championship.
However, just eight minutes later, midfielder Jamal Musiala scored to give Bayern a 2-1 lead against Cologne, with a shot from the edge of the penalty area into the bottom right corner. That meant Dortmund had to score two more goals against Mainz if they were not to win the title.
Bayern players stayed at the stadium to watch Dortmund's match on their phones, then celebrated when they learned they would win the championship. Photo: screenshot
In the third minute of stoppage time at Signal Iduna Park, striker Haller put the ball into the Mainz net but the goal was disallowed. Two minutes later, defender Niklas Sule volleyed home to equalize 2-2, giving the home team some hope. However, there was only a minute left in the match, and Dortmund could not create a miracle.
The real silver trophy was brought to Dortmund before the match, but was not used. The replica trophy in Cologne was presented to Bayern, extending their dominance of the Bundesliga to 11 seasons.
Xuan Binh
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