Bayern thump Union Berlin as Mueller marks milestone

BERLIN: Bayern Munich’s Thomas Mueller scored twice on his 400th Bundesliga start and Harry Kane bagged his 33rd league goal of the season in a 5-1 victory at Union Berlin on Saturday.

Leon Goretzka and 18-year-old Mathys Tel were also on target as coach Thomas Tuchel capped a successful week with a Champions League semi-final place and a comfortable win on the road. Second-placed Bayern ceded the title to Bayer Leverkusen last week but have moved to 66 points from 30 matches, three points clear of VfB Stuttgart who visit Werder Bremen on Sunday.

“We’re pleased. It has been a perfect week for us,” Tuchel said. “Coming here and winning like this certainly wasn’t a given, so well done to the lads. It was a team performance in a tough game.” Bayern led on the half-hour when Tel’s pass into the box was left by Mueller and Goretzka thumped in a shot off the underside of the bar against relegation-threatened Union.

Kane scored the second with a 30-metre free-kick and it was more of the same in the second half as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s cross was rifled into the net by Mueller. Teenager Tel finished from Kane’s pass just past the hour mark before a rampant Bayern added a fifth through Mueller. Yorbe Vertessen scored a late consolation for the home side who are three points above the relegation playoff spot.

RB Leipzig moved three points clear in the fourth Champions League qualifying place with a 2-1 win at Heidenheim, though they have played a game more than fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund, who host champions Leverkusen on Sunday. Lois Openda’s 23rd goal of the campaign five minutes from the end secured the win for Leipzig. Bottom side Darmstadt ended a 22-game winless streak as they secured a 2-0 away victory at second-bottom Cologne.