Business as usual as Bayern return with victory

BERLIN (AFP) –

Bayern Munich’s striker Mario Mandzukic (L) shoots against Fuerth’s striker Christopher Noethe (R) during a German first division Bundesliga football match in Munich, southern Germany, on January 19, 2013. Bayern Munich returned to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a 2-0 win at home to bottom side Greuther Fuerth.

After the euphoria of Pep Guardiola’s appointment as head coach for next season, Bayern Munich returned to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a 2-0 win at home to bottom side Greuther Fuerth.

“We’re pleased we won and also kept a clean sheet,” said Bayern’s current coach Jupp Heynckes, who will stand down at the end of the season.

“Our game was tenacious and not so fluid as we are used to, but perhaps that is a positive, as we know what we have to work on.”

Striker Mario Mandzukic scored either side of half-time after Bayern pulled off a coup for the German league on Wednesday by announcing 42-year-old Guardiola, who won 14 titles in four years at Barcelona, will take charge from July 1.

Fuerth have just one league win all season and Bayern enjoyed more than 75 percent ball possession to dominate their Bavarian neighbours at the Allianz Arena.

With Germany striker Mario Gomez left on Bayern’s bench until the last five minutes, Mandzukic added to his tally of 11 league goals as he first volleyed home on 26 minutes with some help from Fuerth goalkeeper Wolfgang Hesl.

Hooligans hold flares during the German first division Bundesliga football match Bayer Leverkusen vs Eintracht Frankfurt in the German city of Leverkusen on January 19, 2013. Bayer enjoyed a 3-1 win at home to fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, although the first-half was briefly held-up at the 15-minute mark after away fans lit flares in their block.

The second came on 61 minutes when the Croatia star headed home a Toni Kroos corner having slipped marker Christopher Noethe to keep Bayern nine points clear of second place Bayer Leverkusen.

“It’s not important whether I score, only that we won as a team,” said Mandzukic.

“We have worked hard in recent weeks. We didn’t play as well as we can, but we’re satisfied.”

Bayer enjoyed a 3-1 win at home to fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, although the first-half was briefly held-up at the 15-minute mark after away fans lit flares in their block.

Bayer bolted into a 2-0 led with two goals in as many minutes as Poland defender Sebastian Boenisch slotted home on 31 minutes after Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp failed in his attempt to parry the shot.

Dortmund’s Mario Goetze (C) celebrates scoring during their German first division Bundesliga football match against Werder Bremen at the Weser stadium in Bremen on January 19, 2013. Borussia Dortmund stayed in touch with the leaders with an emphatic 5-0 victory at Werder Bremen.

Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling, the league’s top scorer, took his tally to 13 shortly after when he tapped into an empty net after midfielder Gonzalo Castro had drawn Trapp out of his goal.

Germany forward Andre Schuerrle made sure of the three points with the third on 58 minutes, before Frankfurt midfielder Alexander Meier scored a 78th-minute consolation, his 12th of the season, as defeat left Eintracht fourth.

Third-placed defending champions Borussia Dortmund stayed in touch with the leaders with an emphatic 5-0 victory at Werder Bremen on Saturday night in sub-zero temperatures.

Germany midfielder Marco Reus curled in a ninth minute free-kick, international team-mate Mario Goetze slammed in a shot off the crossbar ten minutes later before centre-back Felipe Santana headed home three minutes after the break.

Poland pair Robert Lewandowski and his national team captain Jakub Blaszczykowski completed the rout with goals in the last ten minutes as the Bremen defence collapsed.

Mainz’ Nicolai Mueller (L) tries to score during their German first division Bundesliga football match against Freiburg in Mainz, southwestern Germany, on January 19, 2012. Mainz were held at home to a goalless draw by Freiburg.

Mainz were held at home to a goalless draw by Freiburg after German-American striker Shawn Parker was sent off for the hosts after earning his second yellow a minute from time.

Hoffenheim remain in the bottom three and seven points from safety after a 0-0 draw at home to Moenchengladbach.

On Sunday, Nuremberg host Hamburg, while Fortuna Duesseldorf are home to Augbsurg.

On Friday, Schalke 04 earned their first win in seven league games, dating back to November 10, with a 5-4 win over Hanover to give new coach Jens Keller his first Bundesliga win.

Tottenham Hotspur-bound Lewis Holtby created two goals and scored Schalke’s fifth as eight goals were scored in the second-half.