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Bayern moves closer to title but Flick says he's leaving

April 18, 2021
Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick, who has led the club to six titles in the past 10 months, announced he had decided to leave at the end of the season.
Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick, who has led the club to six titles in the past 10 months, announced he had decided to leave at the end of the season.

WOLFSBURG, Germany — Bayern Munich teenager Jamal Musiala scored twice in the first half to steer them to a nervous 3-2 victory at third-placed VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday as they moved seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with five matches left to play.

Three days after their Champions League quarterfinal elimination by Paris St Germain, the Bavarians made almost certain of their first silverware of the season after RB Leipzig stumbled to a 0-0 draw against Hoffenheim on Friday, Reuters reported.

Minutes after the end of Saturday's game Bayern coach Hansi Flick, who has led the club to six titles in the past 10 months, announced he had decided to leave at the end of the season.

Musiala put Bayern in front after 15 minutes when he weaved his way through three defenders in the box and fired home.

The 18-year-old Germany midfielder netted another with a looping header in the 37th to make it 3-1 and become the youngest player in Bundesliga history to score six league goals.

Musiala came close to a hat-trick a little later but his effort was cleared off the line.

Bayern did stay on course for a record-extending ninth consecutive league title but their victory was eclipsed by coach Flick's announcement he will leave at the end of the season.

The 56-year-old, who took over in November 2019 and led the Bavarians to a run of six domestic and international titles in the 2019/2020 season, said he had told the club and team of his wish to depart despite a contract running to 2023.

The announcement by Flick, seen as front-runner to take the Germany job after this year's European Championship, stole the spotlight from Musiala.

Bayern have 68 points, with RB Leipzig second on 61. Wolfsburg held on to third spot with 54 points despite their defeat after Eintracht Frankfurt's 4-0 loss to Borussia Moenchengladbach left them a point behind the Wolves in fourth.

The top four finishers automatically qualify for the Champions League group stage.

Last-placed Schalke 04 slumped to a 4-0 defeat at Freiburg that all but sealed their relegation. The Royal Blues are 13 points behind the relegation playoff spot occupied by Hertha Berlin with five games left. — Agencies


April 18, 2021
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