Bayern deny Dortmund in Wembley trial-run
Saturday, May 4, 2013
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Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München drew in a dress rehearsal of the upcoming UEFA Champions League final, on a day when Bayer 04 Leverkusen wrapped up third place.
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The honours were even as Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München went head-to-head just days after confirming their respective places in the UEFA Champions League final.
Kevin Grosskreutz, deputising for the injured Mario Götze, handed Dortmund the lead with a stylish instep volley from Jakub Błaszczykowski's back-post delivery. Mario Gomez planted a firm header beyond Roman Weidenfeller to level for Bayern, and that was how the scores remained – thanks largely to Manuel Neuer denying Robert Lewandowski from the penalty spot on the hour. Bayern's Rafinha was dismissed for two bookings in quick succession soon after.
Meanwhile, Bayer 04 Leverkusen guaranteed a minimum third-place finish and will join the aforementioned duo in automatic qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League by easing past 1. FC Nürnberg.
The spoils were shared in a vital bottom-of-the-table contest, Sven Schipplock's double helping 17th-placed TSG 1899 Hoffenheim come from 2-0 down to grab a point at SV Werder Bremen, still five points above them.
Promising midfielder Julian Draxler was the hero on Friday night, scoring late on as FC Schalke 04 recorded an important victory over VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach to consolidate fourth place. Jens Keller's side are three points above Eintracht Frankfurt, who triumphed 3-1 against struggling Fortuna Düsseldorf thanks to two goals from captain Alexander Meier.