Moving scenes on the last Bundesliga matchday. Several players, coaches and referees say goodbye – and were said goodbye with emotional gestures. The overview in pictures.
At the end of the game, the time for great emotions came. After Borussia Dortmund’s 3-1 (1-0) win over Bayer Leverkusen, there were several moving adieus. Both Dortmund’s Lukasz Piszczek and the Leverkusen twins Lars and Sven Bender said goodbye to their well-deserved football retirement after the game.
“We had many emotional moments with Lukasz, Lars and Sven. These are players who have made an incredible impression in their careers,” commented BVB captain Marco Reus with great respect. The sporting events of the more or less insignificant game faded completely into the background. Manuel Gräfe also seemed very moved when the players from both teams formed a line after the final whistle and gave him applause. Because he exceeds the age limit of 47 years stipulated by the DFB, the referee from Berlin was there for the last time.
At Bayern Munich, on the other hand, things got very emotional even before the home game against FC Augsburg. The German record champions said goodbye on Saturday to seven-title coach Hansi Flick and three triple stars who shaped a golden decade in Munich.
David Alaba, Jérôme Boateng and Javi Martínez are leaving FC Bayern. The future has not been officially clarified by any of the quartet, Flick is considered to be the upcoming national coach. Co-trainers Miroslav Klose and Hermann Gerland, veterans of FC Bayern, also say hello. They were also adopted before kick-off. CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, President Herbert Hainer and Sports Director Hasan Salihamidzic presented the departing stars and coaches with pictures, especially with trophies won.
Loan players Douglas Costa and Tiago Dantas are leaving FC Bayern Munich after this season. Referee Markus Schmidt was also adopted and given gifts.
“It was super emotional”
The tears stood in Sami Khedira’s eyes in Sinsheim. When the 2014 world champion said goodbye to professional football in the 74th minute, it was felt for the first and only time. The opponents applauded, the teammates formed a line and some of them wore the jerseys of Khedira’s ex-clubs. In the end, Khedira took the ball home with her.
“It was super emotional. I’m a bit sad – but above all I am very grateful,” said Khedira after Hertha BSC’s 2-1 (1-0) in the meaningless game of the last Bundesliga matchday at TSG Hoffenheim at Sky: “It was my dream job. I will definitely come back to football. But now I need some distance first.”
You can find the best farewell scenes from the Bundesliga here in the photo show from t-online.
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