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Bundesliga: Rampant Bayern cruise past Hertha to go 11 points clear

November 29, 2015 02:50 IST

Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller celebrates the first goal against Hertha Berlin

IMAGE: Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller celebrates the first goal against Hertha Berlin. Photograph: Michael Dalder/Reuters

Unbeaten Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich opened up an 11-point gap at the top after goals from Thomas Mueller and Kingsley Coman eased them past Hertha Berlin 2-0 on Saturday, their 13th win in 14 league games.

The champions, looking for a record fourth straight Bundesliga title, are on 40 points and, with three games left, will go into next month's winter break in top spot if second-placed Borussia Dortmund, on 29, fail to beat VfB Stuttgart on Sunday.

A day after reporting record profits, Bayern were equally sparkling on the pitch, looking fresh after their midweek 4-0 mauling of Olympiakos in the Champions League and despite key injury absences including Arjen Robben, Douglas Costa, David Alaba, Mario Goetze and Thiago Alcantara.

Coach Pep Guardiola fielded his 14th different starting eleven in 14 league games this season but they were dominant from the start, striking twice late in the first half with Mueller nodding in from a Medhi Benatia header in the 34th minute to take his league goal tally to 13 in 14 matches.

Frenchman Coman added another four minutes before halftime and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, who hit the woodwork in the first half, had a golden chance in the 53rd, having been left unmarked in front of goal but was betrayed by his poor first touch.

Bayern's domination can be gauged by the fact they enjoyed more than 70 percent possession and had 24 shots on goal to Hertha's four.

"The team deserves a big compliment because we had a lot of injured players," Guardiola said.

Source: REUTERS
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