European roundup: Bayern Munich extend lead, Milan and Inter both win

Bayern Munich were made to work hard for more than an hour before battling past hosts Werder Bremen 2-1 to go provisionally four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with three games left to play.

Second-half goals from Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané gave Bayern their second win in their last four league matches to move up to 65 points, four ahead of Borussia Dortmund, who have four matches left to play and host Wolfsburg on Sunday.

Bayern, who only have the Bundesliga left to fight for after their DFB-Pokal and Champions League exits in recent weeks, had Werder on the back foot from the start but despite their possession they lacked the final punch in front of goal.

Bremen, without injured Bundesliga top scorer Niclas Füllkrug, gradually found their footing but struggled to convert their chances, with Christian Gross missing their best effort after firing wide following a fine solo run. Bayern, chasing a record-stretching 11th straight league title, perfectly executed a quick passing move in the 56th minute but Sadio Mané sent Gnabry’s cutback wide.

The roles were reversed more successfully six minutes later with the Senegal international crossing into the box and Gnabry slotting in for the lead. The goal instantly took a load off Bayern’s shoulders and substitute Sané cut into the box from the right to drill in their second. Werder’s Niklas Schmidt injected some late drama into the game when he blasted the ball past Yann Sommer and into the top corner in the 87th minute to cut the deficit.

Milan secured a much-needed 2-0 home win against Lazio but suffered an injury scare four days before their Champions League semi-final first leg against Internazionale, when Rafael Leão had to go off in the early Serie A game.