Bayern Continue to Roll; Chasers Leverkusen, Dortmund Keep Pace

Posted: 8:17 pm, November 30, 2013 by Jeffrey Ely

FC Bayern Munich vs Eintracht Braunschweig -- photo: dpa

Berlin (dpa) - Table-toppers Bayern Munich continued to roll through the Bundesliga with a comfortable victory at Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday, while chasers Bayer Levekusen and Borussia Dortmund both kept pace with wins.

Arjen Robben scored two goals for Bayern, who have 38 points after extending their record undefeated streak to 39 matches with a 2-0 victory over last-placed Braunschweig, who actually had their share of chances.

Robben opened the scoring in the second minute and then doubled the lead after 30 minutes. The Dutchman also hit the crossbar in the 72nd minute.

Munich’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (L) vies for the ball with Braunschweig’s Domi Kumbela during the German Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Munich and Eintracht Braunschweig at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, 30 November 2013. Photo: ANDREAS GEBERT

Braunschweig were overwhelmed in the first half, but ventured forward in the second half, including a save by Munich’s David Alaba on the line on Kevin Kratz’s shot. Kratz’s deflected free kick went off the framework in the 84th minute.

“It was a complicated game, of course. They played really far back and we had to find the holes. In the end, I think we are happy with the result,” said Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, who said the race for the title is still on.

“It’s only November and you could see that even last-placed Braunschweig had chances in this game. The Bundesliga is very difficult.”

Second-placed Leverkusen kept pace four points behind Munich as Son Heung Min scored twice in their 3-0 victory at Nuremberg, who remained second-to-bottom in the league.

“We just want to keep collecting points. If you look at how we played, I think we deserved to win this game,” said Stefan Kiessling, who also scored for Leverkusen.

Dortmund struggled, but remained seven points behind Bayern as they picked up the 3-1 victory at 10-man Mainz.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Dortmund the lead after 70 minutes, before Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting equalized four minutes later from the spot. Robert Lewandowski pushed Dortmund back ahead after 79 minutes with a penalty and added a second penalty four minutes into stoppage time.

“This is the way that Mainz play. They really go at you. You just have to be ready to fight against them at all times. And I think we did that,” said Dortmund defender Manuel Friedrich.

Sejad Sehovic scored two penalties and assisted on a third goal, but Hoffenheim failed twice to hold a two-goal lead in a 4-4 draw at home over Werder Bremen, while Hertha Berlin and Augsburg played to a scoreless draw in the German capital.

Schalke were hosting Stuttgart later Saturday.