Bayern alive again in Bundesliga title race after Dortmund stutter

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski celebrates with team mates after Schalke's Jeffrey Bruma scored an own goal and Bayern Munich's first. Photo: Michael Dalder/Reuters

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski celebrates with team mates after Schalke's Jeffrey Bruma scored an own goal and Bayern Munich's first. Photo: Michael Dalder/Reuters

Published Feb 10, 2019

Share

BERLIN – Neither leaders Borussia Dortmund nor champions Bayern

Munich got through their three last matches in eight days unscathed

but Munich may feel a bit more confident ahead of the next tasks.

Dortmund's Bundesliga lead has been trimmed to seven to five points a

week after they could have gone nine points clear, and their dream of

a domestic double is also over.

The young team squandered a lead in their 1-1 draw with Eintracht

Frankfurt, were twice up in extra time before losing on penalties in

the cup against Werder Bremen, and then even squandered a 3-0 lead in

the last 15 minutes of their 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim.

Bayern meanwhile crashed 3-1 at Bayer Leverkusen before coming from

behind to win 3-2 in extra time in the cup at Hertha Berlin and

defeating Schalke 3-1.

Young Munich forward Serge Gnabry, who scored twice against Hertha

and once on Saturday, was more than happy in what he named "a superb

week" for himself and the club.

"It was crucial to advance in the cup and to take three points today,

it boosts our confidence," he said.

"We knew what was at stake because we played later and knew

Dortmund's result. We must win every match, regardless of Dortmund's

results, to keep our chances alive. So we do our best and try to

catch up with them, match after match."

Striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored once and was also involved in

the other two against Schalke, said "Dortmund know they have pressure

from us."

Defender Joshua Kimmich has also not given up the dream of a

record-extending seventh straight title, with the two also meeting in

Munich later in the season.

"Of course I hope that Dortmund become nervous and have some

jitters," Kimmich told ZDF television. "Seven points are something

completely different than five points, from a psychological point of

view."

Coach Niko Kovac said Bayern have improved in many aspects through

the season but there were also some defensive weaknesses which could

have allowed Schalke to score more goals.

Bayern will need to be more robust at the back when they face a

difficult first Champions League last 16 date at Liverpool on

February 19, but so must Dortmund who have an as difficult task on

Wednesday at Tottenham.

"We were a little bit naïve in our defending for the three goals, and

unfortunately lost the decisive battles," Dortmund assistant coach

Manfred Stefes said after the extraordinary Hoffenheim meltdown.

Dortmund were without injured captain Marco Reus and ill coach Lucien

Favre who was however in contact via mobile phone with his assistants

throughout the match.

"We have to learn from this, we can not afford this to happen again,"

defender Julian Weigl said.

Dortmund's other assistant coach, Edin Terzic, meanwhile voiced some

understanding for the lapses and said the team would learn from it.

"It's frustrating to throw away a lead three times in seven days.

However, we have a very young team who are allowed to make mistakes.

We do want to tackle this though in order to become stronger," Terzic

said.

dpa

Related Topics: