Arjen Robben conceded the Bundesliga title after missing a penalty in Bayern Munich’s 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
Trailing in the crucial match between the league’s top two at the Westfalenstadion, visitors Bayern were presented with a late chance to cancel out Robert Lewandowski’s opening goal when the Robben was felled inside the area by Roman Weidenfeller.
But the Dortmund keeper saved the resulting penalty, leaving Robben to rue a rare failure from the spot.
“This is a very bitter and disappointing defeat. In the end I don’t know what to say,” Robben told Sky.
“I was so sure of myself. In the last three years, I think I’ve taken 10 or 11 penalties and converted them, but unfortunately I failed this time.”
Robben’s miss allowed Dortmund to become the first team to beat Bayern Munich in four consecutive Bundesliga matches since Otto Rehhagel’s Werder Bremen managed to do so between 1991 and 1993.
Former Real Madrid man Robben said Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund are highly likely to retain their title, but he did call upon his team-mates to redouble their efforts in the matches remaining.
“Dortmund have taken a huge step; we can almost say that Borussia Dortmund will be German champions,” he said.
“But we must now push on the throttle even more in the coming games.”
Bayern Munich are at home to Mainz in the Bundesliga on Saturday, before hosting Real Madrid in Champions League semi-final first leg on April 18.
