Bayern Turn Up Heat on Dortmund at Top of Bundesliga

Date: 24 February 2019 - 21:19

News ID: ۶۳۵۰۴

BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich have increased the pressure on Borussia Dortmund with a 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin to move level on points with the Bundesliga leader Midfielder Javi Martinez, who excelled in the 0-0 draw at Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday, completed a fine week by scoring the winner midway through the second half.
Bayern, which trailed by nine points at one stage, stayed second due to Dortmund's better goal difference.
Dortmund can restore their three-point lead at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, but captain Marco Reus is out injured. The leader has failed to win in three league games while Leverkusen are on a four-game winning run.
Bayern had a score to settle with Hertha after losing 2-0 in Berlin earlier in the season and being pushed to extra time before progressing in their German Cup tie earlier this month.
Coach Niko Kovac rewarded Martinez for his good performance at Liverpool with another start, while Leon Goretzka was back after an ankle injury and Franck Ribery also started.
But it was Hertha that had the best early opportunities. Davie Selke had a goal ruled out for offside before Jerome Boateng was forced to clear another good chance. Another Selke effort was cleared off the line by Joshua Kimmich early in the second half.

*********Munich's Javi Martinez, bottom, and James Rodriguez celebrate their side's opening goal during a German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Hertha BSC Berlin in Munich, Germany, Feb 23, 2019.