Bayer Leverkusen's Germany midfielder Andre Schürrle scored twice as his side hammered relegation-threatened Hoffenheim 5-0. Striker Stefan Kiessling also netted twice as Leverkusen maintained their grip on third place, which means an automatic Champions League spot next season, as Schalke lost 1-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Borussia Dortmund, who host Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final, first leg on Wednesday, needed just 32 seconds to take the lead as they enjoyed a 2-0 win at home to Mainz 05. The hosts went ahead when the ball deflected back as the guests goalkeeper Christian Wetklo challenged midfielder Mario Goetze and the ball fell to his Germany team-mate Marco Reus to tap into an empty net.
Bayern München warmed-up for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, first-leg at home to Barcelona by claiming three Bundesliga records in Saturday's 6-1 rout at Hanover 96. Germany star Mario Gomez, who scored a hat-trick in just six second-half minutes in Bayern's 6-1 German Cup semi-final rout of Wolfsburg on Wednesday, scored either side of half-time.
Özil scores twice
In Spain Real Madrid laboured to a victory over Levante on Saturday as they warmed-up for their Champions League semi-final in midweek. After a slow opening by the hosts they went ahead just before half-time when Germany midfielder Mesut Özil latched onto Karim Benzema's through ball to slot home at the near post. Benzema then made it two in similar fashion as he took advantage of Cristiano Ronaldo's pass to beat Betis keeper Adrian, but Jorge Molina's penalty halved the deficit for the visitors after Ruben Castro had been brought down by Nacho. Castro then came within inches of stealing a draw for Betis as he hit the bar two minutes from time before Özil settled Madrid's nerves with a third goal in stoppage time.
Mertesacker with game winner
In England Arsenal returned to third place in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win at 10-man Fulham on Saturday. Arsenal were given a huge advantage in the 12th minute at Craven Cottage when Steve Sidwell was shown a straight red card for catching Mikel Arteta on the ankle with his studs. Arsenal quickly asserted their advantage, with Olivier Giroud grazing the post in the 35th minute. The breakthrough arrived from an unfamiliar source two minutes before half-time. Theo Walcott's free-kick was headed across goal by Laurent Koscielny and the Frenchman's centre-back partner Per Mertesacker arrived unmarked to head the ball home from close range.
created by sid/ko
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Bayer Leverkusen's Germany midfielder Andre Schürrle scored twice as his side hammered relegation-threatened Hoffenheim 5-0. Striker Stefan Kiessling also netted twice as Leverkusen maintained their grip on third place, which means an automatic Champions League spot next season, as Schalke lost 1-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Borussia Dortmund, who host Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final, first leg on Wednesday, needed just 32 seconds to take the lead as they enjoyed a 2-0 win at home to Mainz 05. The hosts went ahead when the ball deflected back as the guests goalkeeper Christian Wetklo challenged midfielder Mario Goetze and the ball fell to his Germany team-mate Marco Reus to tap into an empty net.
[bild2]
Bayern München warmed-up for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, first-leg at home to Barcelona by claiming three Bundesliga records in Saturday's 6-1 rout at Hanover 96. Germany star Mario Gomez, who scored a hat-trick in just six second-half minutes in Bayern's 6-1 German Cup semi-final rout of Wolfsburg on Wednesday, scored either side of half-time.
Özil scores twice
In Spain Real Madrid laboured to a victory over Levante on Saturday as they warmed-up for their Champions League semi-final in midweek. After a slow opening by the hosts they went ahead just before half-time when Germany midfielder Mesut Özil latched onto Karim Benzema's through ball to slot home at the near post. Benzema then made it two in similar fashion as he took advantage of Cristiano Ronaldo's pass to beat Betis keeper Adrian, but Jorge Molina's penalty halved the deficit for the visitors after Ruben Castro had been brought down by Nacho. Castro then came within inches of stealing a draw for Betis as he hit the bar two minutes from time before Özil settled Madrid's nerves with a third goal in stoppage time.
Mertesacker with game winner
In England Arsenal returned to third place in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win at 10-man Fulham on Saturday. Arsenal were given a huge advantage in the 12th minute at Craven Cottage when Steve Sidwell was shown a straight red card for catching Mikel Arteta on the ankle with his studs. Arsenal quickly asserted their advantage, with Olivier Giroud grazing the post in the 35th minute. The breakthrough arrived from an unfamiliar source two minutes before half-time. Theo Walcott's free-kick was headed across goal by Laurent Koscielny and the Frenchman's centre-back partner Per Mertesacker arrived unmarked to head the ball home from close range.
