Uninspired Bayern edge past Bremen
berlin — Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich produced another uninspired performance in a 2-1 win at Werder Bremen, while Leipzig kept pace Saturday with a defeat of previously unbeaten Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim had been the last unbeaten team across Europe’s five biggest leagues. Bremen made a disciplined start to the second half of the season, but a rare break forward came to nothing as the home side appeared to lack the confidence to follow through.
The visitors went ahead just after the half-hour mark, when Franck Ribery ran at the Bremen defense and crossed for fellow winger Arjen Robben to score with a brilliant left-footed strike inside the post.
David Alaba did even better to make it 2-0 at the break with a free kick, stroking the ball over the wall into the top right corner and in off the post.
Home fans must have feared a repeat of the 6-0 drubbing Bayern gave Bremen on the opening weekend of the season.
But it was as good as it got from Bayern.
Max Kruse displayed a wonderful turn of foot to elude Alaba after taking Zlatko Junuzovic’s cross before rifling the ball into the roof of the net in the 53rd.
The home side was transformed and Bayern appeared increasingly toothless as Thomas Mueller, Robben and then Ribery were substituted. —