Bayern Munich substitute Serge Gnabry grabbed a late aim to cap a 4-0 win over third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt that consolidated the Bavarian powerhouse’s Bundesliga lead.
Gnabry fired the ball by way of Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp’s legs in the second minute of stoppage time, virtually 10 minutes after Jamal Musiala ran previous a number of defenders and bought a lucky bounce of the ball earlier than firing it previous Trapp for Bayern’s third aim.
Without high scorer Harry Kane, who solely performed the ultimate half hour or so, Bayern stayed eight points clear of defending champion Bayer Leverkusen with 11 rounds remaining.
The solely blemish from Bayern’s level of view was an harm to Joshua Kimmich in the primary half. The Bayern midfielder had to go off after clutching the again of his left thigh.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany opted in opposition to beginning Kane, who sustained a facial harm in the draw in opposition to Leverkusen final weekend. Altogether he made six modifications to the staff that drew with Celtic 1-1 in the Champions League playoffs on Tuesday (February 18, 2025), with Bayern veteran Thomas Müller main the assault.
“We heard a few things about ourselves last week,” Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl mentioned of the staff’s two attracts. “We stayed calm. We focused on what we wanted to achieve, namely beating the third-placed team in the German league at home. And that’s what we did.”
Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitiké had the best chance early on after a mistake from Hiroki Ito, before Musiala had Bayern’s first opportunity cleared off the line. There were more to come.
Bayern dominated proceedings and duly took the lead through Michael Olise before the break.
Ito was left free at a corner to score the second goal in the 61st. It was the Japan defender’s first goal for Bayern.
Champions League hopes damaged
Both Stuttgart and Leipzig drew their games on Sunday (February 23, 2025), denting their hopes of qualifying for Europe’s top club competition.
Leipzig was held to a 2-2 draw at home by relegation-threatened Heidenheim, then Stuttgart failed to capitalize as Hoffenheim fought from a goal down to draw 1-1 in the late game.
Those results left Freiburg fourth — in the last place for Champions League qualification — followed by Mainz, ahead of Leipzig on goal difference.
Stuttgart stayed seventh, two points behind sixth-placed Leipzig.
Published – February 24, 2025 12:13 pm IST
