Schweinsteiger all but seals Bundesliga title

Bayern Munich 1-0 Hertha Berlin
(Schweinsteiger 80')

Although there wasn't an official party planned in Munich on Saturday evening, it felt like one had already started by the time Bayern kicked off against Hertha Berlin.

The first half an hour failed to provide much entertainment to support the party atmosphere in the "Nordkurve". Hertha started boldly - Valentin Stocker just failed to reach a cross hung up by Nico Schulz - before Thomas Müller headed wide and saw a shot saved by Sascha Burchert. Dante still looked as wobbly as ever, Gianluca Guadino couldn't decided who to pass to and Arjen Robben held his head in a propped-up palm. It wasn't a particularly memorable half from Bayern.

While Bayern's conservative passing game was one reason, Hertha's improved structure and discipline was another. Considered nailed-on relegation candidates earlier in the season, Hertha have just about kept their heads above water since Pal Dardai was put in charge. They arrived down south on a seven-game unbeaten streak, a run that included five clean sheets.

Sinan Kurt came on at the break to make his debut for Bayern, but after an hour it was more of Bayern lurking and Hertha resisting. Manuel Neuer prevented resistance from becoming an uprising when he somehow kept out Nico Schulz's shot after the 22-year-old broke Bayern's offside trap, as Dardai's men continued to impress.

Burchert kept out Robert Lewandowski's header and then Bastian Schweinsteiger glanced one past the Hertha keeper only for it to hit the post.

Then it happened. Mitchell Weiser beat four men down the right wing, which surprised even Pep Guardiola, but the training-ground finish from Schweinsteiger did not. Bayern have been here before, as have most Bayern fans, and most Bundesliga fans for that matter. Bayern were always going to score. It was just a matter of when.

Fittingly, just as he did back in 2012/13 in Frankfurt, Schweinsteiger has (likely) sealed the Bundesliga title. It might well be his last. Mathematically, Bayern will have to wait and see if Wolfsburg don't win against Gladbach on Sunday before they can officially celebrate. Mind you, their fans got that party started long ago.