BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich moved one step closer to the Bundesliga title ahead of Saturday’s game after Bayer Leverkusen defeated second-place Borussia Dortmund 1-0.
Bayern was poised to gain a 12-point lead over Dortmund if they defeated relegation-threatened St. Pauli in the final games with five matches remaining.
With 100 goals, Bayern looked set to break the Bundesliga season record of 101 set in 1971-72 by the team featuring Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller.
Dortmund derailed, Schlotterbeck booed
Leverkusen ended Dortmund’s four-game winning streak and gave Bayern a warning before they meet in the German Cup semi-final on April 22nd.
Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck’s pre- and post-match whistles were blown. contract extension It was announced on Friday. Dortmund fans were apparently upset that negotiations had taken too long and that tabloids reported that the new contract included a release clause that would come into effect for Bayern and Real Madrid this summer.
Dortmund started well and dominated possession, but lost the ball when Robert Andrich pounced on a loose pass from Ramy Bensebaini to Fabio Silva, leading to their only goal in the 42nd minute. The Leverkusen defender fired a shot inside the left post from around 25 meters out.
It was enough for Leverkusen to move into fifth place, one point behind Stuttgart, the last place to qualify for the Champions League. Stuttgart host Hamburger SV on Sunday.
Leipzig secures 3rd place
Leipzig defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Yann Diomande, ensuring they finished the weekend in the top four.
Leipzig was three points ahead of Stuttgart, who were leading on goal difference.
Wolfsburg lose again
Wolfsburg appears to be headed to the second division after losing 2-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Oskar Heilund and Arnaud Karimendo scored in the first half for Wolfsburg, who suffered a third straight defeat and extended their winless streak to 12 games.
Wolfsburg, who have been in the Bundesliga since 1997, remain in second-to-last place, with six points at stake and a possible seven points when Cologne host Werder Bremen on Sunday.
Heidenheim, who are at the bottom of the table, won 3-1 at home against Union Berlin, increasing their faint hopes of staying in the league.
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