Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Joshua Kimmich do the damage for leaders Bayern Munich against Bayer Leverkusen
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Joshua Kimmich scored first-half goals as Bayern Munich moved to within one win of a ninth successive Bundesliga title with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern Munich 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Goals: 1-0 Choupo-Moting (7'), 2-0 Kimmich (13')
With RB Leipzig slumping to a shock 2-1 defeat at Cologne earlier in the day, Bayern had the chance to open up a 10-point lead at the summit. The record champions seized the opportunity, scoring twice inside the opening 13 minutes. Thomas Müller was involved in both goals, with his shot from David Alaba's cross parried back out into the danger zone by Lukas Hradecky for Choupo-Moting to lash in from close range. Kimmich then thundered in Müller's smart cut-back from the edge of the area to put Bayern in complete control. Patrik Schick tested Manuel Neuer after escaping the attentions of Bayern's high defensive line, before Hradecky flew to Leverkusen's rescue - quite literally - to keep out Alaba's rocket of a free-kick on the stroke of half-time.
Bayern threatened a third soon after the restart as Kingsley Coman sent Müller in on goal. He only had Hradecky to beat, but sent his shot too close to the Finnish stopper, who was able to get in a block. Leon Bailey had an effort ruled out for a clear offside; Choupo-Moting was also denied by the offside flag, albeit following a VAR review. Fine margins thwarted Leverkusen once more moments later, with substitute Karim Bellarabi directing Bailey's low cross onto the crossbar. Jamal Musiala, following his historic brace against Wolfsburg at the weekend, returned fire with a fierce 18-yard strike that whistled just wide. Substitute Nadiem Amiri made Neuer work from a similar distance, but Bayern never seriously looked like relinquishing their lead. There's little to suggest they'll throw away their advantage at the summit with four games to go, either.
Match stats
- Bayern extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches (W7, D1).
- The record champions have won three and drawn one of the four games Robert Lewandowski has missed through injury.
- Choupo-Moting has scored six goals in his last 11 competitive outings.
- Kimmich scored his first goal since Matchday 14.
- Müller has been involved in a goal in nine successive Bundesliga games.
- Bayern have never lost a Bundesliga game that Lucas Hernandez has started.
Watch: Choupo-Moting: "Everyone's dream to win the Bundesliga"
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Line-ups
Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard (Sarr 82'), Boateng (Nianzou 63'), Hernandez, Davies - Kimmich, Alaba - Musiala (Scott 82'), Müller (Goretzka 63'), Coman (Sane 63') - Choupo-Moting
Unused subs: Nübel, Martinez, Dantas, Stanisic
Out: Costa (metatarsal), Gnabry (match fitness), Hoffmann (knee), Lewandowski (knee), Süle (thigh), Tolisso (thigh)
Coach: Hansi Flick
Leverkusen: Hradecky - Tah, S. Bender (Amiri 70'), Tapsoba - Frimpong (Wirtz 46'), Palacios, Aranguiz (c) (Demirbay 60'), Sinkgraven (Wendell 83') - Diaby (Bellarabi 46'), Bailey - Schick
Unused subs: Grill, Dragovic, Jedvaj, Alario
Out: Arias (ankle), Baumgartlinger (knee), L. Bender (knee), Fosu-Mensah (knee), Paulinho (knee)
Coach: Hannes Wolf
Watch: Davies: "Learn from the veterans"
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