Bayern, Dortmund warm up for big clash with wins

BERLIN (AP):

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund warmed up for what is sure to be their quietest ever Bundesliga clash by winning their respective games yesterday.

IN STADIUMS with no spectators due to strict hygiene measures against the coronavirus, Bayern routed Eintracht Frankfurt 5-2 after Dortmund laid down the challenge with a laboured 2-0 win at Wolfsburg.

Goals from Leon Goretzka, Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski had Bayern in cruise control but Frankfurt defender Martin Hinteregger scored twice in three minutes to set up an exciting finale.

Alphonso Davies steadied Bayern’s nerves before Hinteregger’s own goal capped a remarkable game for the centre back.

The win kept Bayern four points in front of Dortmund ahead of their meeting on Tuesday, a game that will go a long way in deciding the championship – assuming the remaining seven rounds will take place.

The league resumed last weekend after its pandemic-induced two-month break and players must undergo regular testing for COVID-19 before they are cleared to play.

Dortmund struggled to impose themself against Wolfsburg but scored with their first real chance through Raphael Guerreiro in the 32nd minute. Julian Brandt cleverly played in Hakimi, who sent Thorgan Hazard through. Hazard cut the ball back for Erling Haaland – who missed it – but Guerreiro was there to sweep the ball into the net.

CLOSEST CHANCE

Renato Steffen hit the crossbar with Wolfsburg’s closest chance right after the break when the home side dominated.

But Wolfsburg was caught on a counter-attack led by Jadon Sancho in the 78th when Hakimi fired in the far corner.

Borussia Monchengladbach were silently cheered on by 13,000 plastic cut-out fans in the stands, but couldn’t help slumping against Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 at home.

Two goals from Kai Havertz, the second a penalty confirmed by VAR, and another from Sven Bender lifted Leverkusen above Gladbach into fourth place.

Also, Werder Bremen held on for a 1-0 win over Freiburg, which had a late equaliser ruled out through VAR after Bremen midfielder Philipp Bargfrede was sent off, and last-place Paderborn drew with Hoffenheim 1-1.