Bundesliga
February 7, 2010
Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich may have started the season badly, putting new trainer Louis van Gaal under considerable pressure, but the team appears to have now reached its full potential with a 3-1 away win against defending champions Wolfsburg. It was perfect revenge for last season's 5-1 drubbing by the Wolves -- one of Bayern's worst Bundesliga defeats on record.
A strike from Arjen Robben after just 117 seconds caught the home side off guard. This was followed by a goal Daniel van Buyten and an own goal from Andrea Barzaglio, which were enough to extend Bayern's unbeaten record run to 14 games and seal their eighth victory.
However Dutch coach Louis van Gaal was not fully satisfied with his side's performance.
"We played arrogantly, we were not concentrated. We must always be concentrated, even with a 2-0 lead," van Gaal told Sky TV.
Bayern's keeper Butt earned some praise for a 65-minute penalty save against Grafite, ending all hopes of a comeback by Wolfsburg who now slip down to 12th place.
In the Bundesliga standings Bayern and Leverkusen each have 45 points but Leverkusen have the better goal difference. Ruhr Valley club Schalke are three points off the pace.
Unbeaten record
League leaders Bayer Leverkusen were held to a 1-1 draw at Bochum. Jupp Heynckes' Leverkusen, unbeaten in the league this season, stretched their winning streak to 21 games. Switzerland international Eden Derdiyok put the visitors ahead but Zlatko Dedic equalized in the 68th minute to deny Leverkusen three valuable points.
"We dominated but didn't create chances. We have to live with this draw," said Leverkusen's Toni Kroos.
Third place Schalke traveled to Freiburg but only managed a goalless draw despite hitting the woodwork twice and having a goal disallowed. Television replays showed that Marcelo Bordon's header had crossed the goal line.
Six-goal thriller
Elsewhere, Cologne clawed back their way from being two goals down to salvage a 3-3 draw against Hamburg with their new signing Ruud van Nistlerooy. Adil Chihi's shot in the 88th gave Cologne a share of the points to keep them safe distance from the relegation zone.
Hoffenheim ended their four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over relegation candidate Hanover with goals from Carlos Eduardo and Sejad Salihovic in the first half. Arouna Kone pulled one back for Hanover 12 minutes after the break.
Drop zone
Nuremberg remain in the relegation zone after losing 2-1 to VfB Stuttgart. Timo Gebhart put Stuttgart ahead after 22 minutes. Albert Bunjaku then equalized for the home side on the hour-mark, before substitute Roberto Hilbert sealed the victory with a goal three minutes before the final whistle.
Werder Bremen ended their five-match losing streak with a 2-1 win against bottom club Hertha Berlin on Friday at the Weserstadion in Bremen.
nrt/Reuters/dpa
Editor: Matt Zuvela