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Werder Bremen 1-3 Bayern Munich: Lewandowski up to second in Bundesliga all-time scorers list

Robert Lewandowski hit the woodwork three times but still managed to grab a goal that saw him equal Klaus Fischer's haul of 268.

By David Lynch
Robert Lewandowski

Bremen, March 13: Robert Lewandowski moved joint-second in the Bundesliga's all-time top scorers list as Bayern Munich claimed a 3-1 win over Werder Bremen on Saturday.

The Pole matched Klaus Fischer's tally of 268 goals as he joined Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry on the scoresheet in a comfortable win that extended the champions' lead at the summit to five points.

Lewandowski now needs another 97 goals to match Bayern legend Gerd Muller's incredible tally of 365.

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Werder were given hope that they might put the champions under pressure when Ludwig Augustinsson produced the first shot on target of the match, cutting in before releasing a weak right-footed effort.

RESULTS | POINTS TABLE | FIXTURES

But it was all Bayern from there, with Gnabry and Joshua Kimmich signalling the visitors' intent as they each fired just over the bar in quick succession.

And they got a deserved breakthrough with 22 minutes gone, Thomas Muller flicking on a Kimmich corner for Goretzka to powerfully head into the corner.

Gnabry missed a simple header of his own moments later, before hitting the post following an offside flag that might well have been overruled by VAR had the ball found the back of the net.

However, the forward would not be denied a goal, which came after Muller beautifully controlled a chipped pass with his chest and laid the ball on a plate in the box to make it 2-0 at half-time.

One interesting subplot from a one-sided game was Lewandowski's search for the goal that would take him level with Fischer, which appeared set to elude him after he struck the post and crossbar in the second half.

But the former Borussia Dortmund forward evidenced his knack for being in the right place at the right time as the ball somewhat fortuitously fell to him after hitting Goretzka from a corner and he smashed it home.

He so nearly moved ahead of Fischer in the standings late on, hitting the woodwork for a third time after great control in the box, but that proved to be his last action as Hansi Flick made use of his bench in the closing stages.

There was still time, though, for the hosts to grab a consolation, Niclas Fullkrug following in for a tap-in after the visitors' high line had been caught napping.

What does it mean? Bayern put pressure on chasers

RB Leipzig go into Sunday's meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt knowing that nothing other than a win will do after the champions stretched their lead at the top to five points.

That will not be easy, as Adi Hutter's high-flying side proved in beating Bayern in late February, though they have not won either of their two games since beating Flick's men.

Muller leads Bayern forward

Had luck been with Lewandowski, he could well have been the clear man of the match for Bayern rather than reflecting on a game that saw him hit the woodwork on three occasions.

In the end, though, his contribution was overshadowed by Thomas Muller who, as well as providing two assists, clocked up a remarkable seven key passes and engaged in more duels (12) than any of his teammates.

Sargent disappoints

Although he played a role in Werder's late goal, Josh Sargent would have hoped to have a bigger influence on proceedings.

The American picked up a number of promising positions but failed to do much with them, completing just 11 passes in the opposition's half all game.

What's next?

Bayern return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they host Lazio in a last-16 tie that is all but decided following a 4-1 away win in the first leg.

As for Werder, they must wait a week before hosting Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

Story first published: Saturday, March 13, 2021, 22:31 [IST]
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