Bayern thwarted second-placed Bayer Leverkusen 5-1 in the day 30 of Bundesliga thanks to Gomez’s hat-trick to go third in the standings with 55 points. Also, Hannover 96 draw to Hamburger helped the Bavarians climb one position in the German league and close the second place gap to six points. The game started with an early own goal from Rolfes as three more goals were scored only in the first half. As for the second part, it brought a couple of goals, one aside, including Leverkusen’s consolation.
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Bayern took the first lead in the seventh minute. Ribery took picked Schweinsteiger with a shot corner whose header hit Rolfes in the head as the ball rolled into the far post. But that was just the beginning of a six-goal massacre. Gomez started to build his hat-trick in the 29th minute. Muller beat to defenders on the byline only to feed the striker six yards out who put it home with a first touch. Gomez would complete his double in the 44th minute. Munich won the ball in their half only to start a tremendous counter-attack which finished with Lahm’s lovely pass inside the box the striker fired it home from seven yards.
Just one minute later, Gomez made it 4-0. Butt’s long kick was intercepted by the striker who released his side on counter-attack which finished with a superb strike from inside the box below keeper Adler. The half time went 4-0 as things looked clear as possible. Bayer’s first goal came in the 62nd minute. A poor defending allowed Derdiyok steal the ball and thunder a half volley past Butt and through four legs from seven yards. A lovely personal exquisite from Ribery brought the home side the fifth goal. Leverkusen’s defense failed to clear a cross from the right which the French winger intercepted on the edge of the box. Ribery then denied Adler from 11 yards or so after beating his mark.
Bayern have finally climbed third, but remain six points far from a UEFA Champions League position. Both Andries Jonker and Jupp Heynckes, who will replace Jonker this summer on Bayern bench, made three changes. Injured Pranjic was replaced early in the 15th minute by Contento, while Ottl and Brno were sent in for Schweinsteiger and van Buyten respectively with ten minutes left. On the other side, Bender, Kiessling and Kadlec replaced Castro, Augusto and Vidal. Hosts’ Timoshchuk and Vidal were the only booked. Bayern will next play Eintracht Frankfurt, while Bayer Leverkusen face Hoffenheim next Saturday.
Bayern Munich – Butt; Pranjic, Luiz Gustavo, van Buyten, Lahm; Schweinsteiger, Timoshchuk; Ribery, Klose, Muller; Gomez. Reserves: Breno, N. Jullich, A. Ottl, D. Contento.
Bayer Leverkusen – Adler; Balitsch, Schwaab, Reinartz, Castro; Vidal, Rolfes; Sam, Ballack, Augusto, Derdiyok. Reserves: F. Giefer, L. Bender, D. Vida, S. Hyypia, T. Barnetta, S. Kiessling, M. Kadlec.
