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| Bayern Munich's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski (C) raises the trophy as Bayern Munich players celebrate after the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart in Munich, southern Germany on May 8, 2022. |
Bayern Munich have been held to a 2-2 draw by VfB Stuttgart before they received their Bundesliga championship trophy, while the visitors also had something to cheer as they celebrated a crucial point in the battle for top-flight survival.
Stuttgart defender Konstantinos Mavropanos couldn't keep out Serge Gnabry's shot on the line and Thomas Muller then overturned Tiago Tomas' early opener to put Bayern in front at the break of Sunday's game.
But Sasa Kalajdzic towered to head in an equaliser, moments after Muller hit the post for the second time in the game, and even missed a glorious chance to seal a crucial three points when his weak shot was saved by Manuel Neuer.
Bayern had secured their 10th consecutive Bundesliga title with a home win against Borussia Dortmund last month but have been sloppy since having lost at Mainz last week.
And the news the players went straight to Ibiza on their days off at the start of the week also raised eyebrows in some quarters.
Robert Lewandowski had a shot deflected onto the bar late on but Bayern couldn't find a winner and even had Kingsley Coman red carded deep into added time for a petulant reaction to a challenge from Mavropanos.
They were still in party mood, albeit slightly subdued, when captain Neuer was presented with the trophy, the first won by coach Julian Nagelsmann in his career.
It is the first time since 2019 Bayern were able to celebrate the title with their fans because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"Even when there are many here who know the ceremonies, it is simply always beautiful," said record winner Muller, who has received the trophy in 11 of Bayern's 32 German championships, all but one of which have come in the Bundesliga era.
Stuttgart remain in the Bundesliga play-off place going into their final match at home to Cologne next week.
They could yet secure safety by winning to make up the three-point gap to Hertha Berlin, who finish at Borussia Dortmund, due their goal difference advantage.
Elsewhere, Leipzig thrashed Augsburg 4-0 with a cracker from Andre Silva, a double from Christopher Nkunku and an Emil Forsberg penalty to move into the fourth and final Champions League spot, pending next Saturday's league finale.
A draw will secure them fourth given their goal difference and send them into the cup final against Freiburg a week later on a high.
Goncalo Paciencia's stunner gave Eintracht Frankfurt, 12th, a 1-1 home draw against Borussia Monchengladbach with the hosts resting several top names after their Europa League semi-final win on Thursday.
