Leaders Bayern brush Union aside on Bundesliga return

Robert Lewandowski bagged his 26th league goal this season as leaders Bayern Munich resumed their Bundesliga title chase with a 2-0 win at Union Berlin behind closed doors in their first match in two months.

Lewandowski netted a first-half penalty and defender Benjamin Pavard scored a late header for Bayern in Berlin. The Bundesliga on Saturday became the first top European league to restart during the coronavirus pandemic.

Poland star Lewandowski, who missed two games with injury before the league was interrupted in mid-March, reached 40 goals for the campaign in all competitions as Bayern restored their four-point lead over Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund, who thrashed Schalke 4-0 in the Ruhr derby on Saturday, host Bayern in a pivotal fixture on May 26, another game that will be behind closed doors in line with the league's strict hygiene guidelines.

"I have to say, each minute is very long when there are no fans and no noise," said Bayern captain Manuel Neuer.

"It was a different atmosphere to what you would expect at the Alten Forsterei, but, okay, it's about motivation and attitude.

"We still have a bit of work to do, but are happy to have dominated the game and can head home with the three points."
- Fans protest 'ghost games' -
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Second-division St Pauli meanwhile published a picture on Twitter of a banner that read "Football lives through its fans! Without you, it's all nothing!"