MUNICH: Bayern Munich, despite resting several seniors, beat third-placed Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 thanks to a late own goal to stay 20 points clear at the top and on track for their first Bundesliga crown since 2010.

Mario Gomez, in a rare start in place of Mario Mandzukic, shot Bayern ahead in the 37th minute before Simon Rolfes equalised in the 75th.

Bayern, who will seize the title if they win their next match and second-placed Borussia Dortmund draw, avenged their only league defeat this season when Bastian Schweinsteiger’s 87th-minute free kick deflected into the net off Philipp Wollscheid’s shoulder.

The leaders, who are also favourites to lift the German Cup and are through to the Champions League quarter-finals, set a Bundesliga record with their 12th away win of the season.

They could be champions by Easter and set an early-day Bundesliga record.

Home defeat

Coach Jupp Heynckes rang the changes after the midweek home defeat by Arsenal in the Champions League – Bayern still won on aggregate – sparked concerns about fatigue undermining their treble bid.

Dortmund demolished Freiburg 5-1 with two goals apiece from Bundesliga top scorer Robert Lewandowski and playmaker Nuri Sahin to sprint four points clear of third-placed Leverkusen. Lewandowski set a club record by scoring in his eighth straight league game.

 

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