Bayern keep up pressure on Dortmund

Posted Monday, March 26, 2012 by ESPN

Bayern Munich eased to a workmanlike 2-1 victory over Hannover to apply more pressure on Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Toni Kroos opened the scoring for Bayern in the 36th minute and substitute Mario Gomez made it 2-0 after 68 minutes. Didier Ya Konan hit Hannover's reply in the 74th minute.

Two goals from Klaas Jan Huntelaar condemned Bayer Leverkusen to their fourth straight defeat and took Schalke up to third in the Bundesliga on Saturday night with a 2-0 win.

The Dutchman kept up the pressure on Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez at the top of the Bundesliga goalscoring charts with his 21st and 22nd goals of the season, one in each half at the Arena AufSchalke.

Huntelaar, who was labelled the "best striker in the world inside the penalty area" by his coach Huub Stevens, has now scored 40 goals in all competitions this season to help the Royal Blues on their way towards a place in the Champions League next season.

The win took Schalke above Borussia Monchengladbach into third and moved them 13 points clear of fifth place, all but assuring them a place in Europe's premier club competition next season.

Borussia Monchengladbach suffered their first home defeat of the season, losing 2-1 to Hoffenheim as they conceded two goals within the space of three minutes.

Just days after losing on penalties in the German Cup semi-finals Gladbach took the lead through Marco Reus in the 38th minute.

But Roberto Firmino equalised for Hoffenheim after 77 minutes and Boris Vukcevic scored the winner for the visitors shortly after.

Freiburg won 2-0, scoring twice in the opening 14 minutes as new Kaiserslautern coach Krassimir Balakov's reign got off to a losing start.

Karim Guede opened the scoring for Freiburg in the eighth minute and Cedrick Makiadi doubled the lead six minutes later.

Freiburg have now won three and drawn one of their last four games to boost their survival hopes.

In contrast, Kaiserslautern's chances of staying up are looking increasingly slim as the basement boys' winless run grew to 17 matches.

A dramatic last-minute goal from Paul Verhaegh earned Augsburg a 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen amid dramatic scenes at the Weser Stadion.

Niclas Fullkrug, making his home debut for the north Germany side, put the home side in front after an hour, but Augsburg levelled with the last kick of the game.

Adrian Ramos scored two goals as Hertha Berlin earned a huge 3-1 victory in the fight against relegation from the Bundesliga by wining at Mainz.

Anis Ben-Hatira made it 1-0 in the 41st minute for Berlin before Ramos doubled the advantage after 52 minutes.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting halved the deficit in the 58th minute but Ramos struck again for a 3-1 lead in the 69th minute.

Wolfsburg edged towards a place in Europe next season thanks to a 2-1 win over Hamburg on Friday night in a northern Germany derby which leaves their rivals in serious relegation danger in the Bundesliga.

Mario Mandzukic put the home team in front in the 46th minute, but Marcus Berg equalised within a minute.

Marcel Schafer's 75th minute free-kick then earned Wolfsburg all three points to take them to within a point of local rivals Hannover, who are currently occupying seventh place, which will be worth a place in the Europa League next season.

Hamburg's fifth defeat in their last six games leaves them at risk of dropping into the bottom three this weekend.

Saturday's Bundesliga Results
Bayern Munich 2-1 Hannover
Schalke 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Mainz 1-3 Hertha Berlin
Werder Bremen 1-1 Augsburg
Freiburg 2-0 Kaiserslautern
Borussia M'gladbach 1-2 Hoffenheim

Friday's Bundesliga Result
Wolfsburg 2-1 Hamburg