Sun May 4 13:10:50 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Bayern clinches crown with draw against Wolfsburg

---

Wolfsburg, Germany (Sports Network) - Bayern Munich claimed its 21st Bundesliga title on Sunday with a 0-0 draw against Wolfsburg at Volkswagen Arena.

The result takes Bayern 10 points clear at the top with only three games to play, and although Sunday's performance was not the club's best of the season, it was enough to put the German giants back on top after a disappointing fourth-place finish last season.

Wolfsburg went on the attack from the start with Sascha Riether putting Edin Dzeko in on goal with a nice through ball just four minutes into the game. Dzeko drew Bayern goalkeeper Michael Rensing off his line, touched the ball to his left, but fired wide with the keeper out of position.

Jose Ernesto Sosa had a good look at the net minutes later for Bayern, but he blasted his shot from the right over the crossbar despite being just 10 yards from goal.

Marcelinho forced a good save from Rensing midway through the half when he curled a strong left-footed free kick past the wall, only for Rensing to punch it clear with a diving effort.

Bayern's Marcell Jansen struck the outside of the post from a tight angle after Daniel van Buyten headed the ball through the face of goal, but it was Wolfsburg who looked more dangerous as the half came to a close, however they failed to put themselves on the scoreboard.

The hosts started well in the second half too, producing a number of quality crosses, only to be let down by the final touch.

Grafite came within inches of giving Wolfsburg the lead with 10 minutes to play as he beat a Bayern defender at the end line and knocked the ball off the post from a tight angle.

Wolfsburg had one final chance to ruin Bayern's celebrations in the dying minutes when Grafite danced through the Bayern back line and was in on goal. He was left alone with Rensing, who came off his line, but he dragged the shot wide of the left post, securing the title.

In Sunday's other contest, Duisburg kept its hopes of avoiding relegation alive by beating Bayer Leverkusen 3-2. Blagoy Georgiev scored the winner in stoppage time for Duisburg, which is four points from safety with three games to play.