Robert helps keep Bayern top as Dortmund stumble

BERLIN: Robert Lewandowski scored his 15th goal in all competitions this season as Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich came from behind to win 3-1 at Stuttgart, while Borussia Dortmund slipped off the pace after a shock loss to Cologne.

A minute’s silence was held before kickoff at all Bundesliga grounds to pay respect to Diego Maradona, who died on Wednesday aged 60.

In Stuttgart, home striker Tanguy Coulibaly, 19, fired the hosts into a shock early lead after a cross caught Bayern centre-backs David Alaba and Jerome Boateng napping.

Kingsley Coman equalised with a superb low finish before Lewandowski drilled home from 20 metres to put Bayern 2-1 up at the break.

Brazil winger Douglas Costa, a second- half replacement for Coman, grabbed Bayern’s late third goal to seal a win which leaves the holders two points clear of RB Leipzig.

Bayern coach Hansi Flick admitted the dense fixture list is taking a toll on his team who qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League in midweek as group winners with two games to go.

“I’m happy with the result. We all know that it’s not easy to play every three days and I know we can play better,” said Flick.

Bayern face Atletico Madrid away tomorrow in Europe.

Flick is waiting on Boateng, Corentin Tolisso, Lucas Hernandez and Javi Martinez who all picked up knocks against Stuttgart.

Dortmund are third, four points behind Bayern, after crashing to a shock 2-1 home defeat against Cologne, who ended an 18-match winless run.

Tunisia midfielder Ellyes Skhiri tapped in both Cologne goals from corners by former Dortmund winger Marius Wolf after being left unmarked.

With Dortmund 2-0 down on 60 minutes, coach Lucien Favre brought on three forwards – 16-year-old sensation Youssoufa Moukoko, Giovanni Reyna and Thorgan Hazard.

Reyna, 18, set up Hazard to pull a goal back, but it was too little, too late.

After scoring six goals in his previous two games, Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland was held in check, squandering a golden chance to equalise just before the whistle.

Cologne held on for their first win in Dortmund since 1991.

“Cologne were very well organised and we weren’t patient enough,” said Dortmund boss Favre.

“We needed a bit more tempo and there wasn’t enough movement.”

Leipzig climbed to second after a 2-1 home win over plucky strugglers Arminia Bielefeld.