Bayern 'get a few things off their chest': Mueller

Striker says winning 10th straight Bundesliga title was vital following shock UCL exit

BERLIN:

Thomas Mueller said Bayern Munich got "a few things" off their chest by securing a record 10th straight Bundesliga title on Saturday.

Bayern have spent the last fortnight licking their wounds after losing in the Champions League quarter-finals to Villarreal.

But they wrapped up the league title with three games to spare by beating second-placed Borussia Dortmund 3-1 at the Allianz Arena.

"It was a chance to make things clear, there has been a lot of frustration recently," said Mueller, who became the first player ever to win 11 Bundesliga titles.

"We were able to get a few things off our chest. Now it's wonderful."

Bayern captain Manuel Neuer also saw it as a chance to make amends to the fans for their Champions League exit.

"It was important that we finished things off after being knocked out by Villarreal," said Neuer.

"Everyone wanted it, that's what's special in our team."

Goals by Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandowski put Bayern in control before Emre Can converted a penalty for Dortmund.

Jamal Musiala sparked early celebrations when he scored a late third.

"Being a German champion is always something really nice, this is what the fans come here for," said Mueller.

The 32-year-old made his Bayern debut in 2008, winning his first Bundesliga title in 2009-10.

His contract expires in 2023, but Mueller hinted he will extend it in the coming weeks.

"It's hard to leave here," he said.

Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann earned the first major trophy of his career in his first season in Munich.

"The year wasn't that easy. That's why I'm happy that we crowned it with the championship title," said the 34-year-old, who was drenched in beer by his players.

'Something will happen soon'

Robert Lewandowski left his future at Bayern Munich open when he said: "Something will happen soon."

The 33-year-old, who is out of contract next year, scored his 33rd league goal this season in win on Saturday.

Barcelona reportedly want to sign Lewandowski, who was cagey about his Bayern future.

"Something will happen soon. The only thing I know is that there will be a meeting (with Bayern)", Lewandowski told Sky.

Lewandowski has won back-to-back FIFA best male player awards for the last two years and lifted every available title with Bayern.

He has scored 342 goals in 372 games since he joined on a free transfer from Dortmund in 2014.

Bayern bosses have made it clear they want to keep him, but club CEO Oliver Kahn admitted last Sunday that the Poland star is "considering his future".

Lewandowski added that "nothing special" has happened yet, with his agent in talks with Bayern, and he will "see" how things develop. "It is not easy for me," he admitted.