BERLIN: Bayern Munich drowned the Bundesliga in more records as they won 3-1 away to Hertha in Berlin to win the German league title earlier than ever, with a record seven games to spare.

Pep Guardiola’s men clinched their 24th championship and 23rd Bundesliga title to emulate their record of last season when they won the title last season with six games left.

The world, European and German champions thus extended their record runs to 52 league games without defeat and 19 consecutive wins in the Bundesliga. Bayern have scored at least two goals in their last 19 Bundesliga matches, also a record.

The crowning was never doubt in almost from the start when Toni Kroos and Mario Gotze scored in the first 14 minutes. Adrian Ramos pulled one back with a 66th-minute penalty but Frenchman Franck Ribery put the outcome beyond doubt with a 79th-minute striker for Bayern.

Defender Jerome Boateng, who began his career with Herthasaid: “It’s wonderful that we could win the league in Berlin, which is where it all started for me.”

Brazilian centre-back Dante, 30, who has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at the club until 2017, added: “Joining Bayern was the best decision of my life. I’m certain this team can enjoy a lot more fun and success in the years to come.”

In a further demonstration of their power, the world, European and German champions had already announced in January that Borussia Dortmund’s star striker Robert Lewandowski will join them in the summer. Last summer Dortmund lost Mario Gotze for £31.5m to Bayern who have the power and the money to sign all of the best young talents after they have been developed at other clubs.

Last year Bayern won five trophies and hired one of the world’s best coaches when Guardiola replaced the retiring Jupp Heynckes. Since they last lost in the Bundesliga, Chelsea have had three managers and Premier League clubs have spent more £600m in transfer fees.

Bayern’s last Bundesliga defeat was in October 2012 by 2-1 at home to Leverkusen. Rudi Voller, Leverkusen’s sporting director and former Germany forward, said: “Bayern aren’t from this world at the moment. The danger is very real that it will be boring at the top.

“Borussia Dortmund have managed to battle back a little bit over the last few years, but not this year. This season, we have been close in terms of points, but Bayern’s quality is not just in their starting 11 but also in the 11 after that. It is so high.

“They are playing a similar role to the one Barcelona played in Spain – they’re virtually unbeatable and outplay most opponents.

In the last 10 years, only four teams have managed to beat Bayern to the Bundesliga title: Werder Bremen (2004), Stuttgart (2007), Wolfsburg (2009) and Dortmund (2011 and 2012).

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