Bayern's title champagne still on ice
Bavarian giant will wait until after CL for full-blown celebration of success
BERLIN-Manager Jupp Heynckes said on Saturday that Bayern Munich will keep the champagne on ice-despite winning the German league title-as it turns its focus on the Champions League.
A 4-1 comeback win at Augsburg handed Bayern a sixth consecutive Bundesliga title and crowned it German champion for the 28th time in the club's proud history.
Bayern now has the Champions League in its sights as it looks to finish off Sevilla in Wednesday's return leg at Allianz Arena, holding a 2-1 lead in their quarterfinal.
It's hard to believe there was a time this season when Bayern Munich didn't look like a champion side.
Less than two months into a lackluster start, Bayern officials pulled the trigger on manager Carlo Ancelotti and persuaded Heynckes to come out of retirement for a fourth stint in charge.
Bayern started winning again, and didn't stop. A relentless, almost inevitable march to the title ended on Saturday when it underlined its dominance of the Bundesliga with a record-extending sixth straight championship.
While the players partied on the pitch in Augsburg, Heynckes said the serious celebrations must wait until the season finishes.
"No-we don't want to really celebrate, but everyone is welcome to enjoy the title," said Heynckes, who allowed a small celebration in Bayern's dressing room.
"For example, Frank Ribery celebrates his eighth championship, while for many others, like Niklas Suele and Sebastian Rudy, it is their first championship. That's something very important.
"For me as a player, the league title was always the most important one."
Augsburg grabbed the lead through an own goal by Niklas Suele, but Bayern roared back as Corentin Tolisso, James Rodriguez, Arjen Robben and Sandro Wagner all scored.
The result leaves Bayern 20 points clear with five league games left and underlined its total dominance of the Bundesliga.
Heynckes, who also steered Bayern to the 2013 treble, has turned the club's fortunes around since his return in October for a fourth stint at the helm.
Bayern was five points back of the lead when Ancelotti was fired.
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