Bayern Munich have earned an essential 2-1 win at VfB Stuttgart to reclaim first place within the Bundesliga on objective distinction over Borussia Dortmund in what now more and more seems to be a two-horse title race.
Matthijs de Ligt and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored for the 10-time reigning champions Munich on Saturday in an 11th straight league win in Stuttgart – after just a few anxious closing minutes as Juan Jose Perea pulled one again for the hosts.
Bayern and Dortmund moved 5 factors clear on the high as their closest rivals did not win.
Third-placed Union Berlin had been held 0-Zero by Cologne for a 3rd recreation with out victory.
RB Leipzig and Freiburg are one other two factors again, with Freiburg held to a goalless draw at 10-man Borussia Monchengladbach, and Leipzig crushed 2-1 in Dortmund on Friday.
Stuttgart are tied with three different groups on the backside of the desk, solely in secure 15th on objective distinction forward of Hoffenheim, Schalke and Bochum in a dramatic dogfight which additionally consists of Hertha Berlin who’ve one level extra.
Schalke got here off the underside for the primary time since October, sending regional rivals Bochum to the basement with a 2-Zero victory in opposition to them.
Bayern began with intent however Stuttgart goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow saved nicely from Joshua Kimmich’s try from a distance and Leon Goretzka’s header from level clean vary.
However Bredlow made a howler within the 39th when de Ligt fired from a protracted vary effort and the ball slipped by way of his gloves into the left nook.
Stuttgart had possibilities of their very own, however their destiny appeared sealed within the 62nd when striker Choupo-Moting slotted dwelling off Thomas Muller for his 10th objective of the season.
However Perea’s 87th-minute header led to an thrilling finale, with Tanguy Coulibaly heading inches large in stoppage time in a fortunate break for Bayern.
“We’re happy. We’re first once more. That’s what we wished going into the sport,” Muller instructed Sky TV.
“Possibly it was check for Wednesday,” he added in reference to the Champions League last-16 date with Paris St Germain.
In Bochum, Philipp Hofmann missed a sitter early on for the hosts however their goalkeeper Manuel Riemann then gifted visiting Schalke the lead when he pushed the ball into his personal internet in a goalmouth scramble.
Marius Bulter wrapped up issues within the 79th as Schalke prevailed on the former membership of coach Thomas Reis.
Schalke had been final since October 23 however have turned their fortunes round with 10 factors from six unbeaten video games, together with back-to-back wins.
Hoffenheim suffered their 11th defeat in 13 winless video games at Mainz, shedding 1-0.
Mainz rose to seventh, with a fourth straight win, whereas Augsburg beat Werder Bremen 2-1.
