Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben says their 2-0 win over Wolfsburg settled a few nerves following their shock defeat at Moenchengladbach with both Schalke and Borussia Dortmund hard on the leaders’ heels.
Robben claimed Bayern’s second goal on Saturday as a lob from Croatia forward Ivica Olic beat Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio and bounced up into Robben’s stomach as it crossed the goal line in the 92nd minute.
Germany striker Mario Gomez had claimed his 17th goal of the season on 60 minutes to calm Bayern’s nerves following their shock 3-1 defeat at Gladbach last weekend.
Munich stay top of the table on goal difference, but both defending champions Dortmund and Schalke picked up wins to draw level with Bayern on 40 points, though the Bavarians stay top on goal difference.
“Maybe it wasn’t the best game from us, but we were aggressive today and now it all begins,” said the Dutchman.
Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said it was important his team had kept Wolfsburg goalless.
“The fact that we can play the better football is beyond question,” said Lahm.
“But we didn’t score at the important points of the game.
“In the first half we created three good scoring chances against a very defensive team.
“If you take the lead, the opponents normally cracks, but that isn’t what happened.
“Nevertheless, we can be satisfied with a 2-0 at home, we kept them to zero.
“Things are alright.”
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said his side are showing a lot of potential in their play.
“The win gives us some security which we can build on in the coming weeks,” said Heynckes, whose side face FC Basel in the Round of 16 of the Champions League on February 22.
Dortmund stay second after their 3-1 home win over Hoffenheim with Japan wing Shinji Kagawa in dazzling form for the hosts.
The champions have lost teenage midfield star Mario Goetze for up to eight weeks with a groin injury, but Kagawa teamed up with Kevin Grosskreutz to compensate for Goetze’s loss.
The Japan star put Dortmund ahead after just 16 minutes before Grosskreutz slotted home the hosts’ second after 31 minutes.
The pair then combined for the stunning third goal, when a crisp back-heel from Grosskreutz fell into Kagawa’s path and he fired home from close range on 55 minutes.
USA defender Fabian Johnson scored a 63rd-minute consolation for Hoffenheim, but it was too little, too late.
“We were very strong in the opening phase, but didn’t convert all our goal chances,” said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp.
“In the second half, we saw what can happen if we hadn’t put in so much work in the first half (as Hoffenheim came back).
“It was an excellent home game.”
Schalke came from behind to record a 4-1 win at 10-man Cologne to stay third after Germany striker Lukas Podolski gave the hosts an early lead.
The Royal Blues got back in the game when Romanian striker Ciprian Marica netted with headers on 60 and 72 minutes.
Cologne’s problems were compounded when defender Miso Brecko was sent off for fouling Schalke’s Julian Draxler in the area and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar netted the penalty on 78 minutes.
Midfielder Marco Hoeger completed the rout with a late strike to claim Schalke’s fifth straight league win.
“We didn’t look like a top team out there, but as a team we fought and played with heart, that was great,” said Schalke defender Christoph Metzelder.
