Munich - Bayern continues it runaway lead in the Bundesliga with 60 points in 23 matches. Greuther Fuerth's bundesliga days are numbered. Bayern dominated Bremen throughout, easily winning 6-1. The win gives Bayern an 18 point lead over its closest competitors. With the completions of the round of 16 Champions League first leg, FC Bayern, Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 have attained results that put them in good stead for the return matches. In the Euro League only Stuttgart advanced to the round of 16. With only short breaks in between their European games, the clubs returned to Bundesliga competition. FC Bayern continued to play like a potential champion, defeating Werder Bremen 6-1. Hannover with the Euro League stress out of the way, waltzed over Hamburger SV 5-1. The remainder of the matches were close and for the most part ended as expected. With the league championship all but in the bag, Bayern focuses on its DFB Cup quarter final match next week against Borussia Dortmund. Bayern's coach played Arjen Robben, Martinez and Mario Gomez for the league contest, giving a rest to Mandzukic, Mueller, Kroos and Schweinsteiger. Bayern's goal this season is to capture three cups, the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup and the Champions League. At the bottom end of the league, Augsburg, Hoffenheim and Greuther Fuerth will be in a battle to move to 16th spot in order to keep the options of remaining in the Bundesliga next season open. Augsburg won its first test today by defeating Hoffenheim. Nine points is the separation of the bottom three from 15th place, with just 11 games left in the season. SC Freiburg vs Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 During the first half Frankfurt, with its constant pressure and quick switching counters made it difficult for Freiburg to find its game rhythm. Frankfurt's Aigner had a few opportunities, which either missed the target or were thwarted by Freiburg's keeper Oliver Baumann. Stefan Aigner's best opportunity came in the 17th minute, when his shot from about 16 meters just missed the target. Freiburg found to its game about half way through the half, but were not successful in effectively penetrating the Frankfurt goal area and delivering punishing shots on goal. With few scoring opportunities the half ended in a scoreless draw. FC Bayern Muenchen vs Werder Bremen 6-1 In a gift to Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes, who contested his 1000th Bundesliga game today, Bayern increased its lead in the Bundesliga to 18 points. Werder Bremen held its own for about 20 minutes of the match, but goals by Arjen Robben (25th) and Martinez (29th) gave Bayern a two goal lead at the half. In the second half, Bayern's "Schuetzenfest" continued with Gomez's goals in the 52nd and 89th minute and Ribery's in the 86th. Bremen's Selassie recorded an own goal in the 49th minute. Bremen's only goal came in the 58th minute, when DeBruyne found the back of the net. Bremen has slipped to 12th spot. VFB Stuttgart vs 1.FC Nuernberg 1-1 Stuttgart dominated the play in the first half, although Nuernberg gained composure throughout the half. Despite Stuttgart's offensive posture, the first half remained scoreless. After the halftime break Stuttgart took the 1-0 lead with a goal by Traore in the 51st minute. Although Nuernberg failed to get the rhythm, Stuttgart had difficulty capitalizing. Attempting to defend its lead, Stuttgart pulled back and pushed through with the occasional counter. Markus Feulner got the equalizer for Nuernberg in the 71st minute. The end phase of the game was sluggish and neither side was able to score the winning goal. Stuttgart moves up to 11th spot, while Nuernberg remains in 14th. FC Augsburg vs 1899 Hoffenheim 2-1 With both teams in the relegation zone, this contest was an effort to get to 16th spot, which will permit the occupant to play a two game aggregate to remain in the Bundesliga against the third place 2. Bundesliga club. Augsburg came out on top due to a better work ethic, which provided more scoring opportunities. While Augsburg dominated, Hoffenheim seldom threatened in Augsburg's penatly area. With Ji's goal in the 45th minute, Augsburg led 2-0 at the half. Augsburg doubled its tally in the 79th minute with Moelder's goal. Hoffenheim narrowed the score to 2-1 in the 90th minute when DeCarmargo put the ball into the net. Augsburg moved into 16th spot, while Hoffenheim dropped to 17th. Hannover 96 vs Hamburger SV 5-1 Hannover waltzed over Hamburg, despite the stress of its earlier clash in the Euro League. Hannover clearly dominated in its own led attacks as well as its counter attacks. Despite the commanding win, the score could have been much higher. Hamburg had the attitude, but did not impress offensively. Hannover led at the half 3-1 and finished Hamburg off in the second with two more goals. FSV Mainz vs VFL Wolsburg 1-1 This match was decided in the first 15 minutes. Mainz took the lead in the fifth minute with Zimling's goal. Wolfsburg equalized ten minutes later when Naldo found the target. Although Wolfsburg pressed hard from the start, an error resulted in the first goal for Mainz. The game was relatively open, but Wolfburg's Alexander Madlung was sent off with a red card after 30 minuteess. Despite Mainz's man advantage, there were no further scoring opportunities. Schalke 04 vs Fortuna Duesseldorf 2-1 During the first half Schalke had control of the game. Duesseldorf's performance was harmless and focused primarily on the defensive. Duesseldorf's keeper Fabian Giefer prevented Schalke from leading with more than one goal in the first half. Despite a dismal record for the past few games Schalke got draws against Mainz and Galatasary during the last two games. These games seemed to have restored the confidence in the Knappen. Schalke's goal in the first half came at the 29 minute mark of the match, when Matin scored on a pass from Jerome Jones. Duesseldorf was a different team in the second half and the constant offensive pressure on Schalke paid off in the 59th minute when Bellinghausen got the equalizer. Matip got his second of the evening for Schalke to win the game for the Gelsenkirchen club. Duesseldor, in the second half was in every way the equal with Schalke and as a result the fans were treated to an entertaining match. With 33 points Schalke is within striking distance from an Euro League spot, but currently remains in ninth spot. Duesseldorf remains in 13th with 27 points. DFB Cup The focus now turns toward the DFB Cup with the top pick being the game in Munich's Allianz Arena when Bayern hosts Borussia Dortmund. A Munich would all but guarantee success in their venture for the German Football Association Cup. 26 February FSV Mainz 05 vs SC Freiburg Kickers Offenbach vs VfL Wolfsburg 27 February VfB Stuttgart vs VfL Bochum Bayern München vs Borussia Dortmund Matchday 23 fixtures and results Friday February 22 SC Freiburg vs Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Saturday February 23 FC Bayern vs Werder Bremen 6-1 VfB Stuttgart vs 1.FC Nuernberg 1-1 FC Augsburg vs 1899 Hoffenheim 2-1 Hannover 96 vs Hamburger SV 5-1 FSV Mainz 05 vs VfL Wolfsburg 1-1 Schalke 04 vs Fortuna Düsseldorf 2-1 Sunday February 24 M'gladbach vs Borussia Dortmund Greuther Fuerth vs Bayer Leverkusen Posn----Team-----------GP---W---D---L---GF/GA--Pts 1---------FC Bayern------- 23---19---3---1-----63:8-----60 2---------Dortmund--------22---12---6---4-----50:26----42 3---------Leverkusen------22---12---5---5-----43:30----41 4---------Frankfurt----------23---11---5---7-----38:34 ---38 5---------Freiburg-----------23-----9---8---6-----29:22----35 6---------Hamburg----------23---10----4---9-----28:32----34 7-------- Hannover----------23---10----3--10-----46:42----33 8---------Mainz---------------23-----9----6---8-----31:28----33 9---------Schalke-------------23-----8----6---8-----37:38----33 10-------M'gladbach--------22-----7-----9---6-----31:33----30 11-------Stuttgart------------23-----8-----5--10----25:40----29 12-------Bremen-------------23-----8-----4--11----39:47----28 13-------Düsseldorf---------23-----7-----6--10----28:31----27 14-------Nürnberg-----------23-----6-----9----8----23:30----27 15-------Wolfsburg----------23-----7-----6---10----23:33----27 16--------Augsburg----------23-----3-----9---11----20:36----18 17-------Hoffenheim---------23-----4-----4---15----27:48----16 18--------Greuther Fürth---22-----2-----6---14----13:36----12
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