Robben runs the show for re-energised Bayern
Saturday, March 12, 2011
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Arjen Robben hit a hat-trick as FC Bayern München geared up for UEFA Champions League action with a 6-0 defeat of Hamburger SV, on a day when leaders Borussia Dortmund lost.
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Arjen Robben plundered a hat-trick as FC Bayern München gave themselves the perfect boost ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League meeting with FC Internazionale Milano by dispatching Hamburger SV 6-0.
Beaten in their last two Bundesliga outings, Louis van Gaal's side arrested the slide in emphatic fashion, Robben getting the ball rolling five minutes before half-time and completing his treble within ten minutes of the restart. Franck Ribéry (64) and Thomas Müller (79) then increased the deficit, with a Heiko Westermann own goal (85) rounding off the scoring.
"I think this was also partly a reaction to last week's defeat by Hannover," said Van Gaal, who will leave his post at the end of the season. "Obviously such reactions have to be accompanied by the proper result and today we got that result. It is also very good preparation ahead of our match against Inter."
Bayern, who will host round of 16 rivals Inter looking to protect a 1-0 lead, are back up to fourth spot in the table, two points behind Hannover 96, who lost 4-0 to 1. FC Köln on Friday. They nonetheless lie 16 points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, despite a third league defeat of the season for Jürgen Klopp's men. Vedad Ibišević (63) hit the only goal of the game for home side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, thus opening the door for second-placed Bayer 04 Leverkusen to close the gap to nine points when they visit 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Sunday.
Elsewhere, FC Schalke 04 built on their midweek UEFA Champions League success against Valencia CF by seeing off Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 and 1. FC Kaiserslautern climbed out of the bottom three by defeating SC Freiburg by the same scoreline. VfL Wolfsburg slipped into the relegation places as they lost 2-1 at home against 1. FC Nürnberg, and SV Werder Bremen drew 1-1 with bottom side VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach.
