Bayern Munich defeat Hoffenheim to top Bundesliga
By DPA, IANSSaturday, January 16, 2010
MUNICH - Bayern Munich moved to the top of the Bundesliga for the first time in a year courtesy a 2-0 victory over Hoffenheim as the German league returned from its winter break.
Martin Demichelis Friday put the home side in front after 35 minutes at the Allianz Arena, firing home from close range at the far post, while substitute Miroslav Klose made it 2-0 four minutes from time.
The victory was the seventh competitive match win in succession for Louis van Gaal’s side and sees Bayern move on to 36 points, one clear of Bayer Leverkusen who can regain the top spot Saturday with a win against Mainz 05.
“We were even better in training,” said van Gaal. “We didn’t play well in the first half but improved in the second. We should have scored more goals.”
Despite missing injured star Franck Ribery, Bayern fully deserved their fifth league win in a row in front of 69,000 home fans, which leaves Hoffenheim now five games without a win, 11 points adrift of the top.
The visitors seriously missed Chinedu Obasi and Isaac Vorsah, who are both in action at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Ralf Rangnick also had to do without the injured Carlos Eduardo.
Indeed, the closest Hoffenheim came to scoring in the first half was through Vedad Ibisevic on 28 minutes but Bayern goalkeeper Joerg Butt saved well.
While Hoffenheim struggled, Bayern also failed to find their rhythm and needed a set-piece corner to eventually break th deadlock.
Bastian Schweinsteiger’s second cross into the area was headed on by Hoffenheim’s Josip Simunic into the path of Argentine Demichelis, who made no mistake.
Mario Gomez missed two second-half opportunities for Bayern, while Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben also threatened before Klose secured the win, tapping in from two metres to make it 2-0 after 86 minutes.
There was still time for Gomez to hit a post as Bayern ran out comfortable winners.
“I think we’ll only be top for a night but we do want to be top of the table at the end of the season too,” said van Gaal.
