Robben strikes as Bayern close in on Dortmund

Posted Sunday, April 01, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Bayern Munich trimmed Borussia Dortmund's lead at the top of the German league back to three points on Saturday as the Bavarians' 1-0 win at Nuremberg heated up the title race with six games left.

After champions Dortmund were held to a dramatic 4-4 draw at home to Stuttgart on Friday night, second-placed Bayern seized their opportunity with Dutch winger Arjen Robben hitting the winner.

The win was also a perfect boost ahead of Tuesday's home Champions League quarter-final second leg tie against Marseille where Bayern start with a 2-0 lead.

At Nuremberg, Munich were frustrated by their hosts' robust defence, but after Germany striker Mario Gomez was harshly ruled offside having found the net, Robben soon put the Bavarians ahead just moments later.

Bayern midfielder Toni Kroos chipped over the Nuremberg defence and although Franck Ribery's shot was blocked by goalkeeper Raphael Schaefer, Robben was on hand to fire home on 69 minutes.

Dortmund host Bayern at home on April 11 in a showdown which could decide the Bundesliga title with the season to end on May 5 and the pair also contest the German Cup final on May 12.

Third-placed Schalke are at mid-table Hoffenheim on Sunday, while Borussia Moenchengladbach, who are fourth in the table, are at Hanover.

Freiburg stay clear of the relegation zone after picking up their third straight win and have gone five games without defeat after they earned a 2-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen, who produced a poor performance.

Cologne dropped into the bottom three for the first time since August when they were beaten 2-1 at Augsburg.

South Korea midfielder Koo Ja-Cheol hit Augsburg's opening goal on 19 minutes, but Cologne's Germany star Lukas Podolski, who is tipped to join Arsenal at the end of the season, leveled with a penalty.

On the stroke of half-time, Augsburg's Angola striker Nando Rafael converted a penalty for the hosts and the win lifted his team to 14th in the table.

Mainz are up to 10th after their 3-0 win at Werder Bremen.

Hungary striker Adam Szalai put his side ahead on 19 minutes, Cameroon forward Eric Choupo-Moting scored the second on 48 minutes, after coming on at the break, then added a third on 74 minutes.

Hamburg enjoyed their first win in eight games to climb up to 15th and out of the relegation places thanks to the winner from ex-Germany midfielder Marcell Jansen on 28 minutes which took the pressure off coach Thorsten Fink.

On Friday, Dortmund were stunned as Stuttgart produced a last-gasp equaliser to share the points with the league leaders.

Striker Christian Gentner poached a point for Stuttgart at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park stadium when he scored in the 92nd minute to break home-fans' hearts as the lead changed hands three times in the last 20 minutes.