Bayern tune up for Real with victory at Hanover

BERLIN: Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich warmed up for Real Madrid with a 3-0 win at Hanover 96 on Saturday as Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski both scored after coming off the bench.

Mueller struck 12 minutes after his half-time introduction before Lewandowski doubled the lead and Sebastian Rudy added a third as coach Jupp Heynckes started a weakened team. “All in all, we played excellent football,” beamed Heynckes. “The team is in top form, regardless of who plays and in what position.

“When you have a Champions League game on the horizon, it´s important to win league games like this.”With an eye on Wednesday´s blockbuster Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Real, Heynckes left out several regulars while handing 18-year-old centre-back Lars Lukas Mai his Bundesliga debut. Both sides had their chances in a goalless first half before Bayern pulled away.

After Mueller replaced Arjen Robben, the Germany international struck on 57 minutes when his first-time shot from a Juan Bernat cross deflected off Salif Sane and past goalkeeper Philipp Tschauner.

Bayern´s top scorer Lewandowski added a second just six minutes after coming on himself for his 38th time this season in all competitions.Defensive midfielder Rudy capped the win a minute from time to leave Bayern 23 points clear of second-placed Schalke, who are at bottom side Cologne on Sunday. Later Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus inspired Borussia Dortmund to a 4-0 romp at home to Bayer Leverkusen.