Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich both kept their cards well and truly close to their chests in their final games of the Bundesliga season last weekend, though it was the latter who looked to come out on top in their last competitive match before the Champions League final.

Munich had already won the Bundesliga in record time this season, and the side have looked dangerous across the board no matter who their opposition is. So when they took on Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend, it seemed that the side would take an easy victory.

Arjen Robben
Bayern Munich are training for their biggest game of the season, and their last match in the Bundesliga showed a side that never gives up.

But as tends to happen in football, fate had other ideas for Jupp Heynckes' men. Within five minutes, Gladbach were up 2-0, thanks to Martin Stranzl and Mike Hanke, who took advantage of Bayern's nervy start to capitalise quickly.

In the seventh minute, Bayern were back in control and scored through Javi Martinez. Franck Ribery showed he is one of the danger strikers for Saturday night, with the France international scoring a brace of two brilliant goals, and setting up Arjen Robben in the 59th minute to take the lead.

Bayern were made to work hard in the first hour for their 4-3 win, but the side will walk away from this Bundesliga season not only with the title, but with the highest tally of points in the history of the league at 91.

The games showed both the side's strengths and weaknesses as they prepare for a showdown with Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. While their first minutes showed they are capable of being penetrated, their recovery from the pressure to score four goals within an hour proved that Dortmund can't lose concentration at any point in the final.

Meanwhile, over in the west of Germany, Jurgen Klopp's men equally had nothing to play for this weekend, but unlike Bayern the side they were facing an outfit with a lot to play for.

Hoffenheim would still have the possibility of staying in the top flight with a win, but a draw or loss would see them finish 17th and face a certain drop.

In Germany, the side that finishes third from the bottom must play a relegation play-off with the third-finishing second division side. And with not knowing the result of 15th placed FC Augsburg's match at the time, the club were desperate to take a win from the Champions League finalists in their final match and possibly even seal 15th place.

And it couldn't have been a worse day for Dortmund, despite Robert Lewandowski scoring within six minutes to put his side up.

Hoffenheim's Sajed Salihovic had other ideas for the scoreline, equalising via a penalty in the 77th minute, despite Lewandowski having multiple chances on goal after his opening effort.

Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller was red carded in the match, and with Klopp out of substitutions, midfielder Kevin Grosskreutz had to take the responsibility of the gloves, failing to save a penalty shot from Salihovic in the 82nd minute.

Robert Lewandowski and Kevin Grosskreutz
Kevin Grosskreutz puts on the keeper shirt as Dortmund's stopper Roman Weidenfeller is sent off.

A last minute goal from Lewandowski was ruled off-side, and Hoffenheim's celebrations began at the final whistle, though a win from FC Augsburg meant they must now go into a two-legged play off with Kaiserslautern.

Mats Hummels also came off the pitch with an ankle injury during the game, which was the last thing that Dortmund needed as they race against time to get Mario Gotze fit for the Champions League match-up with his future club.

But the side have insisted he will be fit in time for Saturday, and with Gotze also with a chance to play, it could make all the difference for the squad who are the only thing standing between Bayern and the treble this season.

Lewandowski was always going to be a threat for Bayern this weekend, with or without his goal and stand-out performance in the final game of the season.

The side's makeshift defending wasn't necessarily a sign of how they'll perform against Bayern, but Klopp will be well aware that his side can't make the same mistakes, particularly in going down to 10 men, and will need to capitalise on every one of their rival's mistakes on Saturday as Gladbach did at the beginning of their game with Bayern.