Eintracht Frankfurt vs Bayern Munich | Instant Analysis

It almost seemed like Borussia Dortmund would have to lose in order for the Bavarians to win the title today, didn't it? But Bastian Schweinsteiger changed everything in the 53rd minute, deflecting a Philipp Lahm cross into the back of the net. Here are some other thoughts, added throughout today's Meisterschaft-clinching victory:

• Jupp Heynckes must have cranked up Xherdan Shaqiri pretty tight, became out of the gate like a tightly wound wind up toy. His two chances were pretty good, taking both with his left. That being said, the left side didn't really suit him all to well in this game.
  
• The game seemed pretty physical, but referee Florian Meyer let them play to begin with. It wasn't until a Stefan Aigner late challenge that Meyer's yellow card came out of his pocket.
• David Alaba's technique on his penalty actually was not bad. He tried to sell the left post before he turned right, and his foot was next to the ball. He just pulled it, and whenever someone misses from point-blank range, it looks bad because it's almost harder not to score.
• It was interesting to see who stood around the ball on the free kick in the 47th minute. That's usually a spot where Toni Kroos would come in handy, but instead it was Schweinsteiger, Alaba, and Shaqiri stood around the ball. Schweinsteiger took the lion share of corners as well in Kroos's stead.
• Bayern were barraging the box the entire game. It was only a matter of time before Schweinsteiger got found space to back-heel a Lahm cross into the back of the net. How fitting too, that two of the leaders on the team connected for the championship-clinching goal. (@FCBayern: "TRAUMTOR!")
• Heynckes called on Luis Gustavo and Franck Ribéry immediately after Schweinsteiger scored the goal. He is not taking any chances with his side before the second leg of the Champions League.
• It was almost as if Frankfurt needed the goal to wake up. Their pressure was a lot tougher after Schweinsteiger put Bayern ahead, pressing higher and trying to take advantage on counter attacks. Part of that was probably due to Bayern taking their foot off the accelerator a little.
  
• Bayern gave everybody a scare with their defending on corners late in the game. Manuel Neuer was Bayern's best defender on Frankfurt corner kicks, providing good reactions and punches. Regardless, Bayern kept their second consecutive clean sheet.