BELOW-PAR BAYERN END LEAGUE SLUMP AS REAL LOOM
Peru veteran Claudio Pizarro, 35, and Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic were on target with late goals in what was only Bayern's third win in their last seven games in all competitions.
BERLIN, April 19, 2014 (AFP) - Bayern Munich ended a run of three Bundesliga games without victory in Saturday's unimpressive 2-0 win at bottom club Eintracht Braunschweig, four days before their Champions League semi-final at Real Madrid.
Peru veteran Claudio Pizarro, 35, and Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic were on target with late goals in
what was only Bayern's third win in their last seven games in all competitions.
Despite enjoying their customary 65 percent possession and fielding a near full-strength team, Bayern needed 76 minutes to breach the Braunschweig defence with the hosts battling to preserve their top-flight status.
The breakthrough came when Mario Goezte found Pizarro and he scored Bayern's first goal in their last three league games.
With the Braunschweig defence growing tired, Mandzukic grabbed their second three minutes from time as Bayern won their first league match since winning the title nearly four
weeks ago with a record seven games to spare.
But just as they were in recent consecutive defeats to Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund, Bayern looked lethargic, despite coach Pep Guardiola's pre-match wish for a polished performance to take a “good feeling” to Madrid.
“It's not easy for us after winning the German title, but we fought despite a difficult situa- tion” said Guardiola.
“Braunschweig fought with heart and passion, which didn't make life easy for us.
“We had the game under more control after the break and I'm happy with the win.
“But we won't reach the Champions League final unless we put in a commanding performance against Real Madrid.” Bayern were without Manchester Unitedtarget Toni Kroos and Rafinha, who were both suspended, while left-back David Alaba was missing with a cold.
Germany goalkeeper Manuer Neuer sat out the trip to Braunschweig as he recovers from a calf injury with reserve shot-stop- per Lukas Raeder stepping in for the third time.
The victory leaves Bayern on 81 points and 17 points clear of secondplaced Dortmund who picked up their fifth straight win.