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    Friday, September 9, 2016

    Late strike seals Bayern Munich win at Schalke


    German champions Bayern Munich needed late goals from Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich to secure a scarcely deserved 2-0 win at Schalke in the Bundesliga.
    Bayern played poorly for long spells before improving late on and Lewandowski struck the winner with just nine minute remaining.
    A fine pass from Javi Martinez set up the Pole for a clinical finish and Kimmich guaranteed the points in added time.
    Schalke were playing at home in the league for the first time under coach Markus Weinzierl and produced an impressive performance despite losing.
    Klaas-Jan Huntelaar struck the bar with their best chance.
    The defeat is Schalke's second in two matches while Bayern Munich top the table with a 100 per cent record under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
    Main challengers Borussia Dortmund travel to RB Leipzig in Saturday's late game.
    After their opening day disappointment at Eintracht Frankfurt, Schalke came into the match fired up and were boosted by Matija Nastasic returning from a long-term injury in central defence.
    Newcomer Rahman Baba joined him at full-back while summer signings Benjamin Stambouli, Nabil Bentaleb and Yevhen Konoplyanka strengthened the midfield.
    Bentaleb and Stambouli both held their own in the centre against Xabi Alonso and teenager Renato Sanches who was deemed fit for Bayern after an injury of his own.
    But it was winger Konoplyanka who threatened with an excellent run on the left flank and Huntelaar narrowly failed to force the ball home as Manuel Neuer and David Alaba scrambled to clear.
    Previously Alaba had also blocked a goal-bound header from Goretzka as Schalke gradually came into the game after a slow start.
    Bayern had controlled early proceedings without putting Ralf Faehrmann's goal under danger until the 24th minute.
    Thomas Mueller found space on the left and crossed to Lewandowski who guided a shot just wide.
    After the break Bayern failed to raise their level and it took a wonder-save from Neuer to keep them level just before the hour.
    Huntelaar pounced on a loose ball and strode forward to shoot from 25 yards only for the Germany keeper to somehow touch his rocket onto the bar.
    Coach Carlo Ancelotti introduced Costa and Arturo Vidal for Franck Ribery and Alonso while Huntelaar's game ended with a head injury, replaced by Olympic silver medallist Max Meyer.
    Costa made an immediate impact as he sidefooted over from the edge of the box when he really should have scored and then crossed for Lewandowski to inexplicably fire over an open goal at the back-post.
    But Schalke were clearly wilting from their efforts and Bayern sensed blood. Martinez strode forward into the midfield and split the defence with a superb pass - this time Lewandowski made no mistake.
    Lewandowski poked wide when he may have added a second but set up Kimmich to cap a fine breakaway in injury time to secure all three points.
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    Item Reviewed: Late strike seals Bayern Munich win at Schalke Rating: 5 Reviewed By: billsports
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