Dortmund Beat Bayern, Set To Defend Bundesliga Title

Borussia Dortmund look set to defend their German league crown after their 1-0 win over title-rivals Bayern Munich on Tuesday put them six points clear at the top with four games left.

Poland striker Robert Lewandowski scored his 20th goal of the season in the second half to give Dortmund three more priceless points and open a considerable gap over second-placed Bayern.

Dortmund took their chance when wing Kevin Grosskreutz’s shot took a significant deflection off Lewandowski on 77 minutes.

But there was drama four minutes from time when Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller felled Dutch winger Arjen Robben in the penalty area.

The Netherlands star picked himself up to take the penalty, but he fired too close to the Borussia captain, who saved the strike and was immediately mobbed by his team mates.

Both sides hit the crossbar with time almost up as Robben squandered a golden chance by shooting over with the goal at his mercy.

Lewandowski also hit the post after he chipped over Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer just before the final whistle.

It was Dortmund’s 24th consecutive game without defeat – their last Bundesliga loss coming last September against Hanover – and Dortmund’s fourth straight win over the Bavarians, who will meet them again in the German Cup final on 12 May.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes must now rebuild his players morale quickly as they face Real Madrid next Tuesday in the Champions League semi-final, first-leg, and before that host Mainz on Saturday in the Bundesliga.

Third-placed Schalke suffered a shocking 4-1 defeat at mid-table Nuremberg which leaves them six points behind Bayern.