So how did Bayern Munich reassert their dominance in the Bundesliga this term?
Well, if this SBOTOP scribe was going to be flippant, I could say by having the most money and snapping up the best players from your rivals.
And yes, of course, that would be true. For the Bavarians’ financial weight and pulling power have once again proved too much for the rest and they have delivered Bundesliga 2025 highlights aplenty.
But it is much more than that and the statistics show that they have thoroughly deserved to reclaim their status as Germany’s no 1.
Even before a ball was kicked, the Bundesliga betting odds made it abundantly clear what was expected.
That the now deposed champions Bayer Leverkusen were only second favourites; lest we forget the side which went unbeaten domestically throughout the whole of last season and lost only one match at home and abroad out of a total of 52 contests, spoke volumes.
It also highlighted just how dominant (financially and football-wise) Bayern had been in the Bundesliga over more than a decade and, after being well beaten in last season’s title race, were tipped to bounce back emphatically.
Yes, there were setbacks.
They were eliminated in the German Cup by Leverkusen in the last 16, while the disappointment of last month’s Champions League quarter-final exit may linger for a wee while yet, but retaining the crown as Germany’s number one is far from a consolation prize.
The process to bounce back began the second last season was over.
A petition from fans had called for then manager Thomas Tuchel to stay but the now England boss revealed talks “did not reach an agreement” as he took his leave.
Finding a replacement was not straightforward either but, in the end, they opted for Vincent Kompany although, if reports are to be believed, the man in charge of Burnley, relegated from the English Premier League last term, was far from their first choice.
No sooner had his appointment been confirmed though and the Bavarians wasted no time in strengthening.
For a start, they acquired the services of Japan defender Hiroki Ito, whilst kitting out young prospects Josip Stanišić – a title-winner with Leverkusen – and Arijon Ibrahimović with new deals; all before the official start of pre-season training.
Kompany also went for two players who impressed in the Premier League.
The signing of Portugal international Joao Palhinha from Fulham was a big gain on a four-year contract for £42.3 million, plus £4.2m in add-ons.
They also snapped up Michael Olise from Crystal Palace on a five year deal.
From that moment, Leverkusen were always going to struggle to compete.
The Bavarians have been in first place ever since just the third week of the campaign and, with two games remaining, have chalked up 23 wins from 32 games – only losing twice – and scoring a league-high 93 goals.
Other impressive milestones include the fact this is Thomas Müller’s record-extending 13th – and likely – last German top-flight crown as a player. The Bayern legend, who recently made his 500th Bundesliga appearance, will end his quarter of a century association with his boyhood club following this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.
By contrast, this title represents a first piece of major career silverware for England captain Harry Kane, finally putting to rest the notion that a glittering individual career may finish without any silverware.
His form during this title run is a continuation of what began in his debut season, where he netted 36 times – only Gerd Muller and Robert Lewandowski have scored more in a single Bundesliga campaign.
In April, he became the fastest player to hit 60 goals in the competition, doing so in 60 appearances to break Erling Haaland’s record, set while at Borussia Dortmund, by five games. He also registered 15 assists in that time to average a goal involvement every 72 minutes.
What had been expected for some time was confirmed on Sunday afternoon when second placed Leverkusen, who have still had a decent season (bar a shock German Cup semi-final exit) failed to get the better of Freiburg in what was a must-win match for the Werkself, at least to try and delay the inevitable coronation of their rivals.
Ultimately, though, with a clear hierarchy and playing style, and a squad that trusts the judgement of their Belgian manager, Bayern have reasserted themselves as the Bundesliga’s most well-oiled machine.
They face Borussia Mönchengladbach in their first game as newly crowned champions before concluding their league campaign at Hoffenheim on May 17.
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