Dortmund suffered a 1-2 defeat to Hoffenheim on the evening of 18/4, a result that significantly impacts the Bundesliga title race. During the round 30 match, Dortmund players conceded two penalties due to handballs in the box. Andrej Kramaric converted both spot-kicks, scoring in the 42nd and 90+8 minutes. The team, currently second in the league standings, could only manage one goal, a long-range effort from Serhou Guirassy in the 87th minute.

Following the loss, Dortmund now stands at 64 points, trailing Bayern by 12 points with one more game played. This scenario means Bayern can clinch the 2025-2026 Bundesliga title four rounds early. A draw against Stuttgart in their home match on the evening of 19/4 will be sufficient for Bayern to secure the championship. The league leaders are in impressive form, having won 6 consecutive matches across all competitions and scoring 22 goals, including 6 against Real in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Andrej Kramaric scores a penalty in Hoffenheim's 2-1 win over Dortmund in Bundesliga round 30 on 18/4. Photo: Imago.

Securing the Bundesliga title four rounds early would provide coach Vincent Kompany's squad with valuable additional preparation time for their two Champions League semi-final clashes against PSG, scheduled for 28/4 and 6/5. Bayern also remains in contention for the German Cup, with a semi-final against Leverkusen on 22/4. Should they progress, Bayern would compete in the final on 23/5, facing the victor of the Stuttgart - Freiburg tie.

An early title would mark coach Kompany's second Bundesliga championship in his two years at the helm of Bayern. For striker Harry Kane, it would also signify his second national league title of his career.

Last season, Bayern clinched the title two rounds early, finishing 13 points clear of second-placed Leverkusen. The club, based at the Allianz Arena, currently holds a record 34 German championships, significantly more than Nurnberg with 9 and Dortmund with 8 titles.

Thanh Quy