Bayern Munich prepare for Real Madrid with win over Hanover
German league champions win 3-0, coach says team in top form
PHOTO: AFP
BERLIN:
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich warmed up for Real Madrid with a 3-0 win at Hanover 96 on Saturday as Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski both scored after coming off the bench.
Muller struck 12 minutes after his half-time introduction before Lewandowski doubled the lead and Sebastian Rudy added a third as coach Jupp Heynckes started a weakened team.
"All in all, we played excellent football," beamed Heynckes. "The team is in top form, regardless of who plays and in what position. When you have a Champions League game on the horizon, it's important to win league games like this."
With an eye on Wednesday's blockbuster Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Real, Heynckes left out several regulars while handing 18-year-old centre-back Lars Lukas Mai his Bundesliga debut.
Both sides had their chances in a goalless first half before Bayern pulled away.
After Muller replaced Arjen Robben, the Germany international struck on 57 minutes when his first-time shot from a Juan Bernat cross deflected off Salif Sane and past goalkeeper Philipp Tschauner.
Bayern's top scorer Lewandowski added a second just six minutes after coming on himself for his 38th time this season in all competitions.
Defensive midfielder Rudy capped the win a minute from time to leave Bayern 23 points clear of second-placed Schalke, who are at bottom side Cologne on Sunday.
Later Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus inspired Borussia Dortmund to a 4-0 romp at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
Even with striker Michy Batshuayi sidelined by an ankle, the pair shone in front of goal.
Sancho, 28, a former Manchester City winger, leapt for joy after becoming the youngest Englishman to score in the Bundesliga when he hit the bottom corner with 13 minutes gone.
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich warmed up for Real Madrid with a 3-0 win at Hanover 96 on Saturday as Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski both scored after coming off the bench.
Muller struck 12 minutes after his half-time introduction before Lewandowski doubled the lead and Sebastian Rudy added a third as coach Jupp Heynckes started a weakened team.
"All in all, we played excellent football," beamed Heynckes. "The team is in top form, regardless of who plays and in what position. When you have a Champions League game on the horizon, it's important to win league games like this."
With an eye on Wednesday's blockbuster Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Real, Heynckes left out several regulars while handing 18-year-old centre-back Lars Lukas Mai his Bundesliga debut.
Both sides had their chances in a goalless first half before Bayern pulled away.
After Muller replaced Arjen Robben, the Germany international struck on 57 minutes when his first-time shot from a Juan Bernat cross deflected off Salif Sane and past goalkeeper Philipp Tschauner.
Bayern's top scorer Lewandowski added a second just six minutes after coming on himself for his 38th time this season in all competitions.
Defensive midfielder Rudy capped the win a minute from time to leave Bayern 23 points clear of second-placed Schalke, who are at bottom side Cologne on Sunday.
Later Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus inspired Borussia Dortmund to a 4-0 romp at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
Even with striker Michy Batshuayi sidelined by an ankle, the pair shone in front of goal.
Sancho, 28, a former Manchester City winger, leapt for joy after becoming the youngest Englishman to score in the Bundesliga when he hit the bottom corner with 13 minutes gone.