Martinez breaks drought as Bayern go eight clear

AFP, BERLIN: Javi Martinez scored his first goal for Bayern Munich for two years on Saturday as their 3-1 win at Schalke 04 opened an eight-point lead in the German league.
After second-placed Borussia Dortmund’s shock 3-1 defeat at Hamburg on Friday, Pep Guardiola’s Bayern took their chance to extend their lead.
David Alaba’s early goal was cancelled out by Schalke’s Max Meyer before Martinez, then Thomas Mueller struck for Bayern.
Bayern took a fortuitous lead in Gelsenkirchen when Alaba’s long-range shot clipped Leon Goretzka’s heel and flew into the Schalke net with nine minutes gone.
Schalke drew level through Meyer’s superb goal on 17 minutes when he turned Bayern captain Philipp Lahm and powered his shot past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
But Bayern maintained their unbeaten record in Germany’s top flight when Spain’s Martinez headed Arjen Robben’s pin-point cross on 69 minutes.
It was the centre-back’s first league goal for Bayern since August 2013, then Mueller added a late third by curling his shot inside the far post.
Earlier, Germany striker Max Kruse netted twice in Wolfsburg’s 6-0 rout of Werder Bremen.
There was a minute’s silence at all Bundesliga grounds — the players also wore black armbands — out of respect for the victims of the Paris terror attacks.
Stuttgart’s 4-0 thumping at home to Augsburg was delayed by 15 minutes due to the tightened security checks at stadiums across the country.
There were no such problems at Wolfsburg’s Volkswagen Arena as Bremen gifted the opener when defender Alejandro Galvez slid the ball into his own net on 11 minutes.
Kruse put Wolfsburg 2-0 up at the break by heading home a free-kick then Portugal international Vierinha netted on 56 minutes.
The floodgates opened when France midfielder Josuha Guilavogui, on for the injured Brazil star Luiz Gustavo, stabbed home his shot, Kruse then set up Netherlands striker Bas Dost on 78 minutes. He completed the scoring three minutes from time by converting a cross.
The result leaves Wolfsburg five points behind Dortmund.
Borussia Moenchengladbach are up to fourth as Andre Schubert celebrated his first match in charge as head coach with a 2-1 win at home to Hanover 96.
Having taken over in September with Borussia bottom of the table, the 42-year-old has been promoted from a caretaker role after steering Gladbach to seven wins and a draw in his eight league games.
Gladbach took the lead when Guinea midfielder Ibrahima Traore was left unmarked on the edge of the area with half an hour gone.
Hanover equalised through Poland international Artur Sobiech on 65 minutes, but Brazil striker Raffael scored the winner six minutes from time.

 

Martinez breaks drought as Bayern go eight clear

AFP, BERLIN: Javi Martinez scored his first goal for Bayern Munich for two years on Saturday as their 3-1 win at Schalke 04 opened an eight-point lead in the German league. After second-placed Borussia Dortmunds shock 3-1 defeat at Hamburg on Friday, Pep Guardiolas Bayern took their chance to extend their lead. David Alabas early goal was cancelled out by Schalkes Max Meyer before Martinez, then Thomas Mueller struck for Bayern. Bayern took a fortuitous lead in Gelsenkirchen when Alabas long-range shot clipped Leon Goretzkas heel and flew into the Schalke net with nine minutes gone. Schalke drew level through Meyers superb goal on 17 minutes when he turned Bayern captain Philipp Lahm and powered his shot past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. But Bayern maintained their unbeaten record in Germanys top flight when Spains Martinez headed Arjen Robbens pin-point cross on 69 minutes. It was the centre-backs first league goal for Bayern since August 2013, then Mueller added a late third by curling his shot inside the far post. Earlier, Germany striker Max Kruse netted twice in Wolfsburgs 6-0 rout of Werder Bremen. There was a minutes silence at all Bundesliga grounds the players also wore black armbands out of respect for the victims of the Paris terror attacks. Stuttgarts 4-0 thumping at home to Augsburg was delayed by 15 minutes due to the tightened security checks at stadiums across the country. There were no such problems at Wolfsburgs Volkswagen Arena as Bremen gifted the opener when defender Alejandro Galvez slid the ball into his own net on 11 minutes. Kruse put Wolfsburg 2-0 up at the break by heading home a free-kick then Portugal international Vierinha netted on 56 minutes. The floodgates opened when France midfielder Josuha Guilavogui, on for the injured Brazil star Luiz Gustavo, stabbed home his shot, Kruse then set up Netherlands striker Bas Dost on 78 minutes. He completed the scoring three minutes from time by converting a cross. The result leaves Wolfsburg five points behind Dortmund. Borussia Moenchengladbach are up to fourth as Andre Schubert celebrated his first match in charge as head coach with a 2-1 win at home to Hanover 96. Having taken over in September with Borussia bottom of the table, the 42-year-old has been promoted from a caretaker role after steering Gladbach to seven wins and a draw in his eight league games. Gladbach took the lead when Guinea midfielder Ibrahima Traore was left unmarked on the edge of the area with half an hour gone. Hanover equalised through Poland international Artur Sobiech on 65 minutes, but Brazil striker Raffael scored the winner six minutes from time.