Bayern close in on Bundesliga, Union Berlin on Champions League

BERLIN: Bayern Munich captain Thomas Müller scored on a rare start as they took another step toward a record-extending 11th consecutive Bundesliga title by routing Schalke 6-0 on Saturday. Bayern moved four points clear of Borussia Dortmund before the late game. Dortmund could restore the one-point gap by beating Borussia Mönchengladbach at home, while they must also maintain hope in Bayern dropping points in their final two games.

Bayern next play Leipzig and Cologne, while Dortmund play Augsburg and Mainz for their last games of the season. Bayern missed a couple of good chances before Müller finally made the breakthrough in the 21st minute. Müller, who is captain while Manuel Neuer works on his comeback from a broken leg, was making his first start since April 22.

Ten minutes later, Joshua Kimmich made it 2-0 with a penalty awarded through VAR after Cedric Brunner caught Jamal Musiala in the face with his arm. The Schalke defender was booked and Musiala showed no lasting damage. Serge Gnabry added two more goals in the second half, Mathys Tel added another, and Noussair Mazraoui completed the scoring in injury time.

It continued a long tradition of Bayern routing Schalke. Schalke haven’t beaten the Bavarian powerhouse in 23 league games since a victory in December 2010, with Bayern clocking up 71 goals in that run. Union Berlin made their own big step toward Champions League qualification after winning at home over chief rival Freiburg 4-2.

Union’s win lifted them three points clear of fifth-placed Freiburg. The top four qualify for Europe’s premier competition. Bochum climbed out of the relegation zone with a 3-2 win over Augsburg.