Fuente: © UEFA (English)
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FOOTBALL EUROPE: Bayern show resolve to increase lead

/noticias.info/ Ten-man FC Bayern München surged nine points clear in the Bundesliga with victory against VfL Bochum 1848 but Bayer 04 Leverkusen's miserable week continued with a late loss at BV Borussia Dortmund.

Azaouagh opener
Bayern had begun the weekend seven points ahead of Hamburger SV but the latter's 1-0 setback at VfB Stuttgart on Saturday gave Ottmar Hitzfeld's side the opportunity to stretch their lead over the new second-placed team, UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists FC Schalke 04. But they were quickly forced on to the back foot when Mimoun Azaouagh's 25-metre drive gave mid-table Bochum a fourth-minute lead.

Van Bommel dismissed
Matters quickly deteriorated for the home side when Mark van Bommel was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the opening 27 minutes but Bayern showed their character to level before half-time when Lucio struck. And their comeback was completed in the second-half when Franck Ribéry's penalty on 74 minutes made it 2-1 before Christian Lell added a late third to give them the perfect boost ahead of their UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg at Getafe CF which is poised at 1-1.

Late drama
Leverkusen's UEFA Cup prospects are certainly not as good after their 4-1 first-leg defeat at home to FC Zenit St. Petersburg and their mood was not helped as they followed up that reverse by going down 2-1 at Dortmund. To make the situation worse, the visitors were leading through Stefan Kiessling's 51st-minute strike only for late goals from Alexander Frei (88) and Dede (90) to stun them once again. notas_de_prensa_archivo