Bayern Strikes
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Bayern Munich thrash FC Schalke at Allianz Arena

By Kiran Thakare

MUNICH, GERMANY - JANUARY 25: Leon Goretzka of FC Bayern Munich celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Schalke 04 at Allianz Arena on January 25, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - JANUARY 25: Leon Goretzka of FC Bayern Munich celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Schalke 04 at Allianz Arena on January 25, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Bayern Munich delivered an emphatic performance against FC Schalke in matchday 19 of the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich extended their Bundesliga winning run to five games as they put four past FC Schalke at Allianz Arena on Saturday. After the win over Schalke, the defending champions climbed to second place in the league table, one point behind RB Leipzig.

The hosts scored two goals in the first half and three in second to clinch their second win of 2020. Hansi Flick made one change to the starting lineup that featured against Hertha Berlin last weekend. Philippe Coutinho made way for Joshua Kimmich. The latter missed the game in Berlin due to suspension. Alvaro Odriozola, a new arrival from Real Madrid, will have to wait for his Bayern debut as he was an unused substitute against Schalke. Meanwhile, the visitors made a couple of changes to the lineup that won against Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend. Rabbi Matondo and Amine Harit replaced Benito Raman and Alessandro Schopf, respectively.

Die Roten dominated the game from the word go, controlling the game in midfield and flooding players in the final third while Schalke decided to soak up the pressure and hit the hosts on the counter The early dominance paid off immediately as Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring in the sixth minute. The Polish striker showed great awareness to convert a loose ball in the box to score his 32nd goal of the Bundesliga.

Bayern continued to put pressure on Schalke’s defense by moving the ball quickly in the final third. The hosts had two goals ruled out for offside in the first half before Thomas Muller doubled the lead at the stroke of half time. The German forward made a brilliant run to poke the ball in the net after Leon Goretzka headed the ball in danger zone from another solid delivery from Perisic.

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Rekordmeister started the second half the way they ended the first.  Alphonso Davies and Benjamin Pavard surged in the final third to provide width, while three forwards took up great positions in the box. Just like the first half, Bayern scored early in the second half through a terrific acrobatic kick from Leon Goretzka. Schalke’s move to defend deep backfired massively as Die Roten were creating openings in their defense with ease.

Soon after Goretzka scored, Bayern put the game to bed by scoring a fourth goal at the hour mark. Thiago was the architect of this goal as he initiated the move and also went on to finish the move. Lewandowski claimed the assist for this goal as he neatly combined with the Spanish midfielder for this goal.

Die Roten were in no mood to take the foot off the pedal as they kept on creating chances to score the fifth goal. They eventually found a way to score the fifth goal before the final whistle as Markus Schubert ended up putting the ball in his goal at 89th minute after a curling attempt from Serge Gnabry.

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Bayern are slowly gaining ground in the title race as they continue to reduce RB Leipzig’s deficit at the top. They will be looking to gain an advantage in the table before facing Leipzig in a fortnight. The immediate focus of Bayern shifts to next week’s game against Mainz.

Lineups-

"Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)Neuer-Davies- Alaba- Boateng- PavardThiago (58′)-KimmichPerisic, Goretzka (50′), Muller ( 47′)-Lewandowski (6′)Substitutes– Ulreich, Odriozola, Tolisso (↑ Goretzka (78′)), Cuisance, Zirkzee, Coutinho (↑ Thiago (61′)), Gnabry (↑Perisic (68′)) Schalke (4-4-2 )Schubert (OG 89′)Oczipka- Nastastic-Kabak- KennyMascarellSerdar- CaliguiriHaritGregoritsch- MatondoSubstitutes– Langer, Todibo, Miranda, Schopf, Burgstaller, Boujellab (↑Gregoritsch (57′)), McKennie (↑Kenny (80′)), Kutucu (↑Matondo (57′), Mercan"