Müller clinches it for Bayern at Gladbach; Schalke grind out 1-0 win in Mainz

FC Bayern München tightened their grip on the Bundesliga title on matchday 25, beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-0 at BORUSSIA-PARK. The record champions extended their lead to 13 points at the top after RB Leipzig were beaten by Werder Bremen yesterday. Thomas Müller scored the winning goal in the 63rd minute following a sublime pass from Thiago.

Still on 32 points, Gladbach drop below Schalke into tenth place behind Schalke (33) leaving them five points off both the relegation zone and the European places. Schalke moved up the table following their 1-0 away win in Mainz earlier in the afternoon.

Sommer heroics, Robben off the woodwork

Bayern flew out the blocks in front of a sold-out BORUSSIA-PARK, testing Gladbach keeper Yann Sommer within 40 seconds of kick-off. The visitors forced the host deep into their own half, enjoying large spells of possession. Despite their dominance, they initially looked vulnerable at the back, with Thiago pulling off a last-ditch tackle to deny Hofmann a potential opener. Oscar Wendt also had a half chance for Borussia, but perhaps would have done better had he opted to pass. Other than that, almost all the action too place at the other end, with Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller both forcing excellent saves from Switzerland international Sommer.

The Gladbach shotstopper was well beaten when Arjen Robben curled a trademark effort towards the far post, but fortunately for him the post prevented the opening goal. The ball propped up perfectly for Lewandowski to head in on the rebound, but Sommer showed his class with a reflex save to keep the score at 0-0 going into the break.

Müller scores on milestone appearance

It was more of the same in the second half, with Bayern dominating but Gladbach creating the odd chance on the break. It took a moment of brilliance to break the deadlock, when Thiago chipped the ball over the Borussia back line, where Müller was waiting to poke home his second league goal of the season on what was his 250th Bundesliga appearance. Gladbach applied pressure in the final ten minutes, but were ultimately unable to beat Die Mannschaft captain Manuel Neuer.

Schalke edge past Mainz

FC Schalke 04 earned a 1-0 victory at FSV Mainz 05 on Bundesliga matchday 25, rounding off an emotional week that saw them secure a spot in the Europa League’s quarterfinal. Mainz, now without a victory from their last three home games, remain in 12th place despite the defeat but hold just a two-point cushion over Hamburger SV in 16th.

Sead Kolasinac’s left-footed strike at the start of the second half was enough to separate the two sides, with Schalke moving into the upper half of the league table on 33 points.

Fährmann keeps Schalke in the game

Schalke started the game with plenty of energy, controlled the action on the pitch but failed to find the target. Mainz began to find their rhythm midway through the second half and managed to produce several dangerous opportunities, but S04 keeper Fährmann was not to be beaten as the first half ended goalless.

The visitors took the lead five minutes after the restart, with Kolasinac breaking the deadlock after an assist by Guido Burgstaller. Mainz didn’t give up and looked for the equaliser, but the game featured many minor fouls and interruptions causing the match to lack a natural flow. In the end Schalke managed to hold on to their narrow advantage and claim only their second away win of the season.