Bayern rout Duesseldorf, Gladbach slip up at Union

Dortmund rescue 3-3 draw against Paderborn

BERLIN, Nov 23, (RTRS): Bayern Munich crushed hosts Fortuna Duesseldorf 4-0 on Saturday to climb to within a point of the top with their third straight win under interim coach Hansi Flick while Bundesliga leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach suffered a shock loss at Union Berlin.

The champions have rediscovered their winning ways under Flick, getting three victories in all competitions, and they looked sharp throughout the match in which top striker Robert Lewandowski failed to score, ending his record run of netting in the previous 11 league games.

Bayern, who could have scored several more goals, found no resistance in the first half and had fired in three by the 34th minute through Benjamin Pavard, Corentin Tolisso and Serge Gnabry.

Although Lewandowski failed to score despite several golden chances, he did set up Philippe Coutinho for Bayern’s fourth goal in the 70th minute.

Bayern, eyeing a record-extending eighth consecutive Bundesliga title, moved up to 24 points, one behind Gladbach who were stunned 2-0 by promoted Union for their first league loss after three straight wins.

Union took the lead in the 15th through Anthony Ujah and completed a memorable win with Sebastian Andersson’s second-half stoppage time goal for their third straight victory which lifted them to 11th on 16 points.

Freiburg moved into third place on 22 with a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen and stayed ahead on goal difference of Schalke 04, winners 2-1 at Werder Bremen. RB Leipzig on 21, take on Cologne later on Saturday.

Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus scored a stoppage-time equaliser as they dragged themselves back from 3-0 down to rescue a 3-3 draw against promoted Paderborn but they still suffered a dent to their Bundesliga title hopes.

The visitors played a dream first half, with Streli Mamba scoring twice and Gerrit Holtman also on target as they outpaced the hosts and hit them on the breaks to leave Dortmund shellshocked and the home fans jeering the team off at halftime.

To make matters worse, Dortmund’s top striker Paco Alcacer, making a comeback from a heel injury, had to be taken off before halftime after suffering a knee injury that left him in tears.

Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski (left), and Duesseldorf’s Kaan Ayhan challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Fortuna Duesseldorf and FC Bayern Munich in Duesseldorf, Germany on Nov 23. (AP)

Jadon Sancho pulled a goal back two minutes after the break as Dortmund shot out of the blocks to set a blistering pace.

But despite their dominance and a bagful of chances they did not score again until Axel Witsel headed a second in the 84th.

Reus rescued a point deep in added time to move Dortmund up to fifth on 20 points.

While Dortmund’s comeback showed their fighting spirit, the result did coach Lucien Favre no favours following their 4-0 loss to Bayern Munich on the previous matchday.

Dortmund visit Barcelona in the Champions League next week as they battle for a spot in the knockout stage.

The Swiss coach has been under mounting criticism with his team being the textbook example of inconsistency in recent weeks with just two wins in their last eight league matches.

“I have absolutely no explanation for the first half,” Reus told reporters. “I have no idea what we produced there. It was shameful. We can never, never play like that. We cannot play like that at home, no matter who we play against.”

“We came away tonight with more than just a black eye. We need to talk about that. The coach gives us a great game plan. home game in charge thanks to a superb strike into the top corner from Morocco forward Youssef En-Nesyri in the 12th minute.

The home side spurned chances to extend their advantage but Barca levelled in the 52nd minute when Luis Suarez glanced in Lionel Messi’s free kick.

Barca won the game thanks to a fortunate goal in the 79th minute from Chilean midfielder Vidal, who was in a clear offside position when he knocked in from close range but a VAR review ruled him on as the ball had bounced off Leganes’ Ruben Perez.

Vidal admitted Barca need to raise their performances.

Barcelona’s Luis Suarez (right), scores his side’s opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Leganes and FC Barcelona at the Butarque Stadium in Madrid,

Spain on Nov 23. (AP) “It’s always nice to score for Barcelona and it’s even better when it means getting the three points and leaving a difficult ground getting the result we wanted,” he said.

“The sensations are not good when you concede first and we have to improve a lot. We need to try and control these games better and not concede early as these are the matches that decide titles.”

Barca travel to title rivals Atletico Madrid next and will be without influential midfielder Sergio Busquets who is suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card of the campaign.