Domestically, it was all rather easy for Pep Guardiola during his time in Germany as Bayern Munich manager. Three seasons, three Bundesliga titles and two German Cups.
Each of those league triumphs was achieved by a margin of double-figure points, and it was on this day, in 2015, that Guardiola successfully defended the Bundesliga title for the first time while guiding Bayern to a quarter-century of league titles, their 24th Bundesliga shield. The club's first title, in 1932, was for what was then called the German football championship.
The writing was arguably on the wall from November the previous season when Robert Lewandowski, the Polish striker who was so central to keeping Borussia Dortmund competitive with Bayern, announced he was to join the Bavarian giants the following summer.
At the very least, it proved damaging to Dortmund's cause as the club finished the 2014/15 campaign in seventh, a whopping 33 points behind Bayern in what was to be Jurgen Klopp's final year.
For Lewandowski and Bayern, the move was an immediate success, with the forward scoring 25 goals in all competitions in his debut season. Since then, the Poland international has gone on to be one of the club's finest ever goalscorers.
It was Wolfsburg, led by Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne and his 21 assists, that emerged as Bayern's biggest challengers, but once Bayern assumed top spot in the league standings after Round 5, there was no letting up.
After a run of 24 wins, four draws, and two defeats, Bayern had opened up a 15-point lead over Wolfsburg, who needed to avoid defeat against Borussia Monchengladbach on April 26 to delay Bayern's title celebrations. However, a 1-0 defeat handed the Bavarians their inevitable title.
After such a dominant league campaign, Bayern's season ended somewhat in a whimper. They lost three of their last four Bundesliga games, fell to Dortmund on penalties in the German Cup semi-finals, and were eliminated by Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals.
____________________
Bayern Munich train as German ministry asks players to wear masks
-
Bayern Munich manager Hans-Dieter Flick and his players during training on April 24. Reuters -
Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng with teammates during training. Reuters -
Bayern Munich training at Saebener Strasse. Reuters -
Fans watch Bayern Munich players during training. Reuters -
Bayern Munich coach Hans-Dieter Flick during training. Reuters -
Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer during training. Reuters -
Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich train. Reuters -
Bayern Munich coach Hans-Dieter Flick at training. Reuters -
Bayern Munich coach Hans-Dieter Flick. Reuters
