Dominant Bayern extend record runs at Nuremberg

Image
AFP Berlin
Last Updated : Feb 09 2014 | 9:55 AM IST
Leaders Bayern Munich extended both their unbeaten Bundesliga records with a 2-0 win at Nuremberg while third-placed Borussia Dortmund romped to a 5-1 win in Bremen.
European champions Bayern remained 13 points clear in the Bundesliga as the runaway leaders left Nuremberg with 56 out of a possible 60 points this season.
This was Bayern's 45th unbeaten Bundesliga match, dating back to October 2012, and their 29th unbeaten away league game to extend their records with a rare win in Nuremberg.
"I quickly noticed why Bayern had only won once in six years at Nuremberg," said Bayern coach Pep Guardiola yesterday.
"Nuremberg were aggressive and played very intensively, they had two or three clear chances.
"After we went 2-0 up, things got easier for us, but the pitch made things difficult and wasn't good for our possession."
Despite the heavy surface, Bayern still enjoyed more than 60 percent possession -- down from the average of 75 they are accustomed to -- while defeat dropped Nuremberg back into the bottom three.
"The first-half cost us a lot of strength and the belief wasn't as great," admitted Nuremberg coach Gertjan Verbeek.
"It was almost impossible to come back after they went 2-0 up soon after the break."
Bayern needed just 17 minutes to take the lead at Nuremberg's Grundig Stadium when Germany star Mario Goetze put David Alaba in space down the flank and the Austria left-back flicked in a cross for Mario Mandzukic to volley home.
The Croatia striker then turned provider when he put captain Philipp Lahm in space to fire home on 49 minutes as Bayern counter-attacked.
It should have been more when Arjen Robben hit the post ten minutes later, but Bayern were in complete control.
Dortmund dismantled Werder Bremen with Poland striker Robert Lewandowski and attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan both scoring twice.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 09 2014 | 9:55 AM IST

Next Story