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Played
March 24, 2012 10:30 AM EDT
Allianz-Arena — München
Referee: G. Winkmann
Attendance: 69000
March 24, 2012 10:30 AM EDT
Allianz-Arena — München
Referee: G. Winkmann
Attendance: 69000
Top of the Match
Toni Kroos
Bayern
Bayern
Toni Kroos
Bayern
Bayern
Flop of the Match
Ivica Olic
Bayern
Bayern
Ivica Olic
Bayern
Bayern
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Bayern Munich 2-1 Hannover: Kroos and Gomez keep Bavarians in title race
The Germany international duo were on target as the Bundesliga giants edged the Lower Saxons, drawing them to within striking distance of first place
By Clark Whitney
Bongarts
Bayern Munich cut Borussia Dortmund's lead in the Bundesliga to two points on Saturday as the Bavarians earned a 2-1 win over Hannover at the Allianz Arena.
Both sides had their share of chances to take the lead in the opening exchanges, but Bayern showed the extent of their class as Toni Kroos opened the scoring on 36 minutes, and the hosts took their lead into the halftime break.
Substitute Mario Gomez scored a critical second goal midway through the second half, but Didier Ya Konan pulled one back with a quarter hour left, setting up a nail-biter of a finale.
Bayern appeared to be headed towards a disappointing result after a glorious sequence on the right saw Robben play Philipp Lahm behind the Hannover defense, but Ribery failed to hit the target from close range following the right-back's low cross.
Hannover gathered some momentum, and was unfortunate not to go ahead after Manuel Neuer's loose touch saw the goalkeeper concede possession to Mame Biram Diouf in front of the net. Desperate defending from the Bavarians' defense, including Neuer, ensured that the visitors could not put a shot towards goal.
The deadlock was broken in the 36th minute after Ribery made a brilliant turn and run up the left side before flicking to Robben. The Netherlands international back-heeled the ball to Kroos, who chipped over the onrushing Zieler and into the net.
Bayern could have made it 2-0 before the break, but Olic squandered an opportunity again prepared by Kroos, and the hosts had to settle for a one-goal lead at the break.
Chances were few and far between after halftime, but the addition of Mario Gomez for Olic on the hour mark saw Bayern add a new threat in attack. Ribery played a fine pass to the substitute shortly after his introduction, but the striker's shot rebounded off the post and Zieler before being cleared off the line.
Gomez got his goal on 68 minutes, however, as he latched onto Kroos' considered pass, made space from Christian Pander, and tucked his finish inside the far post.
Hannover reacted positively following Bayern's second goal, and pulled one back within six minutes as Diouf nodded a cross towards the substitute Ya Konan, who struck an overhead volley into the net.
Hannover continued to pressure the hosts, and Diouf nodded just over the bar before a near-own goal from Jerome Boateng was tipped around the post by Neuer.
It was not easy, but the hosts did just enough to deny a late equalizer, and held on for three points.
The result sees Bayern trim Dortmund's lead to two points, although BVB will have a chance to extend its advantage once more on Sunday. Hannover, meanwhile, standsg in danger of slipping out of seventh place, which holds a Europa League berth, depending on Stuttgart's result.
Both sides had their share of chances to take the lead in the opening exchanges, but Bayern showed the extent of their class as Toni Kroos opened the scoring on 36 minutes, and the hosts took their lead into the halftime break.
Substitute Mario Gomez scored a critical second goal midway through the second half, but Didier Ya Konan pulled one back with a quarter hour left, setting up a nail-biter of a finale.
Bayern appeared to be headed towards a disappointing result after a glorious sequence on the right saw Robben play Philipp Lahm behind the Hannover defense, but Ribery failed to hit the target from close range following the right-back's low cross.
Hannover gathered some momentum, and was unfortunate not to go ahead after Manuel Neuer's loose touch saw the goalkeeper concede possession to Mame Biram Diouf in front of the net. Desperate defending from the Bavarians' defense, including Neuer, ensured that the visitors could not put a shot towards goal.
The deadlock was broken in the 36th minute after Ribery made a brilliant turn and run up the left side before flicking to Robben. The Netherlands international back-heeled the ball to Kroos, who chipped over the onrushing Zieler and into the net.
Bayern could have made it 2-0 before the break, but Olic squandered an opportunity again prepared by Kroos, and the hosts had to settle for a one-goal lead at the break.
Chances were few and far between after halftime, but the addition of Mario Gomez for Olic on the hour mark saw Bayern add a new threat in attack. Ribery played a fine pass to the substitute shortly after his introduction, but the striker's shot rebounded off the post and Zieler before being cleared off the line.
Gomez got his goal on 68 minutes, however, as he latched onto Kroos' considered pass, made space from Christian Pander, and tucked his finish inside the far post.
Hannover reacted positively following Bayern's second goal, and pulled one back within six minutes as Diouf nodded a cross towards the substitute Ya Konan, who struck an overhead volley into the net.
Hannover continued to pressure the hosts, and Diouf nodded just over the bar before a near-own goal from Jerome Boateng was tipped around the post by Neuer.
It was not easy, but the hosts did just enough to deny a late equalizer, and held on for three points.
The result sees Bayern trim Dortmund's lead to two points, although BVB will have a chance to extend its advantage once more on Sunday. Hannover, meanwhile, standsg in danger of slipping out of seventh place, which holds a Europa League berth, depending on Stuttgart's result.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
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Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
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Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EDT
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Striker Schalke |
29 | 6 |
|
Mario Gomez
Striker FC Bayern München |
26 | 4 |
|
Robert Lewandowski
Striker Borussia Dortmund |
22 | 0 |
|
Lukas Podolski
Striker FC Koln |
18 | 3 |
|
Claudio Pizarro
Striker Werder Bremen |
18 | 2 |