Bayern set up title decider with 3-0 win at Bielefeld

FC Bayern beat Arminia Bielefeld 3-0 on Sunday, maintaining their nine-point lead in the Bundesliga table. Bayern took the lead after ten minutes, when Jacob Laursen put through his own goal, with Serge Gnabry doubling the advantage before half-time. Jamal Musiala rounded off the scoreline in the closing stages. The result means FCB can wrap up the Bundesliga title against closest pursuers Borussia Dortmund next weekend.

The Bavarians started with with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Tanguy Nianzou and Dayot Upamecano in defence. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka featured in central midfield, flanked by Gnabry and Alphonso Davies. Thomas Müller and Marcel Sabitzer played off Robert Lewandowski up front. Josip Stanišić took over from Nianzou at half-time, Musiala, Leroy Sané, Gabriel Vidović and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting coming on for Müller, Sabitzer, Gnabry and Lewandowski in the second half.

Two up at half-time

The German record champions were dominant from the off, with Pavard firing over, although Arminia's Patrick Wimmer soon hit the side-netting. Keeper Stefan Ortega only just managed to direct a Lewandowski header onto the bar, but a goal was coming and arrived when Laursen put Davies' square into his own net. It was originally ruled out for offside but was given after VAR reviewed the scene.

Masaya Okugawa miscued before Ortega denied Goretzka at the other end. A Müller cross only just evaded Lewandowski and Davies, Gnabry firing over. Bielefeld had the ball in the net when Okugawa beat Neuer, but the linesman's flag was up for offside. Neuer made a strong save to deny Manuel Prietl, but Bayern doubled the lead with the half-time whistle imminent, Kimmich's diagonal ball inviting Gnabry to drill past Ortega. The goal was ruled out again but stood after VAR intervention.

Plain sailing

Goretzka and Sané saw their efforts blocked, while Amos Pieper tested Neuer at the other end. Gnabry dragged a shot wide, Ortega saved two Musiala efforts. Davies fired inches wide before Neuer saved from Sebastian Vasiliadis. The final flourish came when Lewandowski's square found Musiala, who made no mistake from close range five minutes from time.

The result takes Bayern onto 72 points from 30 matches. The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday when they entertain Dortmund with the chance to seal their tenth straight Bundesliga title in front of their home crowd.

Live match report for fcbayern.comby Greg Salmen