Second-string Bayern still too strong for Frankfurt

BERLIN: Youngster Niklas Dorsch scored on debut as a second-string Bayern Munich side cruised to a 4-1 victory over future coach Niko Kovac and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Saturday, while Cologne were relegated in dramatic fashion after a 3-2 defeat by Freiburg.

With all eyes on tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid, and with the Bundesliga title wrapped up, Bayern rested several key players, giving first-team debuts to the 20year-old Dorsch, as well as teenagers Meritan Shabani and Franck Evina.

Dorsch gave Bayern the lead from close range just before halftime, and Sandro Wagner doubled the advantage in the second half.

Sebastien Haller grabbed a goal back for Frankfurt, before Rafinha and Niklas Suele wrapped up victory for the hosts.

Bayern will face Frankfurt and Kovac again in next month’s German Cup final in Berlin.

“We played very efficiently, which is something we didn’t manage to do against Real Madrid last Wednesday,” said Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes.

Nils Petersen scored a goal in each half to give Freiburg a comfortable lead, before a dramatic late comeback from Cologne.

Leonardo Bittencourt netted two goals in five minutes to give the visitors hope, but a late strike from Lucas Hoeler sealed Cologne’s relegation.

“Hoeler’s goal was the cherry on the cake of a completely awful season,” said Cologne goalkeeper Timo Horn. “We feel totally empty.”

Fellow strugglers Hamburg, meanwhile, fuelled hopes of a miraculous escape with a 3-1 win in Wolfsburg.

Hamburg’s third win in four games puts them just two points adrift of safety as they bid to avoid a first relegation in their history.

“It’s great that the boys are playing so bravely,” said Hamburg coach Christian Titz. “We still need another win in Frankfurt next week, which won’t be easy.”

Bayer Leverkusen missed a chance to break back into the top four as they lost 1-0 to Stuttgart while Schalke drew 1-1 with Borussia Moenchengladbach.