Robert Lewandowski netted his 26th Bundesliga goal this season as league leaders Bayern Munich resumed their top-flight division title chase with a 2-0 thrashing of Union Berlin behind closed doors in their first match in two months on Sunday.
Lewandowski scored a penalty in the first half of the match and full-back Benjamin Pavard scored a header late in the second half for Bayern in Berlin. On Saturday, the Bundesliga became the first top European league to reopen during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease.
Poland goal-machine Lewandowski, who went missing in action for two games due to injury before the league was suspended in mid-March, bagged 40 goals for the campaign in all competitions as Bayern regained their four-point lead over Borussia Dortmund.
After the game against Union Berlin, Lewandowski became the third player, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, to score 40 goals or more in five consecutive seasons, The Mirror UK reports.
Dortmund, who floored Schalke with a 4-0 win in the Ruhr derby on Saturday, host Bayern in a return-leg fixture on May 26, another game that will be played behind closed doors in line with the league’s strict hygiene and safety guidelines.
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“I have to say, each minute is very long when there are no fans and no noise,” said Manuel Neuer, the Bayern captain.
“It was a different atmosphere to what you would expect at the Alten Forsterei, but, okay, it’s about motivation and attitude.
“We still have a bit of work to do, but are happy to have dominated the game and can head home with the three points.”
Union had shocked previous leaders Dortmund and Borussia Moenchengladbach earlier in the season, backed by passionate home support at their home ground, the Alten Forsterei stadium.
Thomas Mueller seemed to have given Bayern the lead on 18 minutes only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.
Bayern eventually made the match uneven when Union defender Neven Subotic fouled Leon Goretzka in the 18-yard box on 38 minutes, with Lewandowski stepping up to slot home the penalty.
Bayern coach Hansi Flick brought on French winger Kingsley Coman from the bench for his 100th Bundesliga appearance as the visitors sought to make the points safe.