‘Congratulations to Bayer Leverkusen’ – Thomas Tuchel gives up on Bundesliga title after Bayern Munich’s defeat to Borussia Dortmund
Bayern fell to a crushing 2-0 defeat at home to Dortmund.
A despondent Thomas Tuchel passed on his ‘congratulations’ to Bayer Leverkusen after Bayern Munich fell further behind in this season’s Bundesliga title race with a crushing 2-0 defeat at home to Borussia Dortmund.
Goals from Karim Adeyemi and Julian Ryerson in either half at the Allianz Arena ensured Dortmund secured their first Der Klassiker win since as far back as 2019.
England captain Harry Kane appeared to have given Bayern a glimmer of hope with one minute remaining of normal time but the striker’s header was subsequently ruled out for offside.
The result leaves defending champions Bayern 13 points adrift of runaway leaders Leverkusen, who came from behind to beat Hoffenheim in dramatic fashion earlier in the day.
Leverkusen’s incredible comeback win came after Xabi Alonso committed at least another season to the club amid rumours the Spaniard could jump ship to take charge of either Bayern or Liverpool in the summer.
Bayern head coach Tuchel – who departs at the end of the season – cut a forlorn figure in the aftermath of Bayern’s latest disappointment and appeared to concede the title to Alonso’s unbeaten Leverkusen side as he reflected on the loss.
‘Overall, the game wasn’t played at a high level. It was an average game,’ a downbeat Tuchel told Sky Germany in his post-match interview.
‘Unfortunately, we never adapted to that. From the lack of pace to the lack of passion. It’s hard to explain.’
Tuchel felt Bayern’s defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Dortmund came somewhat out of the blue.
The former Chelsea boss added: ‘We thought in the last few weeks that we wouldn’t get to the point where we would give away a game like that.
‘We had something completely different in mind, but we just didn’t manage it.’
Asked whether the title race was now effectively over, Tuchel replied: ‘Yes, definitely.
‘Congratulations to Leverkusen.’
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