Bayern sets record of straight victories

BERLIN - Agence France-Presse

Brazilian player Rafinha celebrates a Bayern Munich goal during the team’s 5-0 victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf in the German Bundesliga. AP photo

Bayern Munich set a new Bundesliga record on Oct. 20 when it claimed its eighth straight victory since the start of the season with a 5-0 hammering of Fortuna Düsseldorf to stay top of the league.

Bayern in 1995, Mainz in 2010 and Kaiserslautern in 2001 had all previously held the joint record of seven successive wins.

It was also the 300th Bundesliga victory for Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes thanks to goals by Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic, Brazil’s Luiz Gustavo and Rafina, plus two from Germany’s Thomas Müller.

“I am delighted,” said Heynckes. “We played fantastic football from start to finish.”

Despite second Eintracht Frankfurt and Schalke 04, third, also winning, Bayern remains five-points clear at the top.

Bayern went ahead on 28 minutes after a Franck Ribery pass split the defense and found striker Mandzukic unmarked on 28 minutes to slot home.

Enjoying 80 percent possession, Bayern doubled its lead on 36 minutes.

Müller fired the ball into the box and Gustavo enjoyed a simple tap in with Düsseldorf goalkeeper Fabian Giefer at his feet, desperately trying to scramble away the danger. Müller grabbed Bayern’s third on 55 minutes.

Fortuna’s defense folded again as Müller grabbed his second on 86 minutes and Rafinha claimed the fifth a minute later.

Schalke wins derby
Schalke enjoyed a rare 2-1 win at title-holding neighbors Borussia Dortmund in the 141st Ruhr derby.
The Royal Blues took an early lead when Dutch forward Ibrahim Afellay volleyed home on 14 minutes at Signal Iduna Park stadium in front of 80,645 fans.
Schalke doubled its lead two minutes into the second half when a pass from Lewis Holtby on the halfway line put midfielder Marco Höger away.
Bremen claimed only its third win this season as the team hammered Mönchengladbach 4-0 to leave Bremen ninth in the table.