Heynckes delighted with Stuttgart win

28 Abril 2012 21:54

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has praised his squad for their professional attitude in Saturday's 2-0 win over Stuttgart.

The Bavarians cruised to an easy win over Bruno Labbadia's men, courtesy of goals by Mario Gomez and Thomas Muller, as goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt made his last home league appearance for the Champions League finalists.

Heynckes reserved special praise for the veteran, who is set to retire in the summer after four years with the club.

"It wasn't exactly easy for my players to switch their attention back to the Bundesliga, although I have to say they were very professional and their attitude was very good, especially those who don’t have the rhythm of playing regularly," Heynckes told the club's official website.

"Both teams had chances in the first half. In his farewell match, Butt prevented us going behind with some great saves.

"If Ivica Olic had taken the chances that came his way in the second half, we’d have seen it through to the end with much less hassle."

Meanwhile, Butt took time to thank the club and the fans for the farewell from the Allianz Arena.

"A game like that is obviously fantastic as a way to round off a playing career. Now, I'm looking forward to the two finals, just like the rest of the team."

Bundesliga wrap: Schalke earn Champions League berth

28 Abril 2012 18:55

Schalke sealed an automatic Champions League place in the Bundesliga on Saturday as champions Borussia Dortmund impressed again.

A brace from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar saw Schalke secure third spot with a 4-0 thrashing of relegation battlers Hertha Berlin in Gelsenkirchen.

Borussia Moenchengladbach's chances of finishing third were ended after they were held to a 0-0 draw by struggling Augsburg, but they are guaranteed a spot in the Champions League qualifying stages.

Schalke took the lead just after the half-hour at Veltins-Arena through Dutchman Huntelaar, but were forced to wait until the final 20 minutes to seal the win.

Lewis Holtby doubled their lead on 73 minutes, with Raul and Huntelaar netting in the final six minutes.

Dortmund tied a Bundesliga record for points in a season as they earned a 5-2 win at Kaiserslautern.

The win, which came largely thanks to a Lucas Barrios hat-trick, lifted the champions' tally to 78 points, equalling Bayern Munich's record from 1998/99.

Brazilian defender Felipe Santana gave the hosts a 16th-minute lead with an own goal, but a header and a tap-in from Barrios put Dortmund ahead, with Mario Gotze adding another before half-time.

Pierre de Wit pulled a goal back for Kaiserslautern with a looping header over Australian goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, but Dortmund again took control with Barrios completing his treble and Ivan Perisic curling in a fifth.

Champions League finalists Bayern Munich continued their fine form, beating Stuttgart 2-0 thanks to goals from Mario Gomez and Thomas Mueller.

Bayer Leverkusen secured a Europa League place after Stefan Kiessling's 75th-minute goal saw them to a 1-0 win at home to Hannover.

Cologne will finish no higher than the relegation playoff spot after slumping to a 4-1 loss at Freiburg.

Mensur Mujdza, Karim Guede, Daniel Caligiuri and Sebastian Freis were on the scoresheet for the winners, while Lukas Podolski briefly equalised just after the break for Cologne.

Patrick Helmes' late brace helped Wolfsburg to a 3-1 win at home to Werder Bremen.

Hamburg and Mainz played out a 0-0 draw at the Imtech Arena, while Nuremberg overcame Hoffenheim 3-2.

Bundesliga preview: Battle on for third

28 Abril 2012 06:05

Schalke and Borussia Moenchengladbach both face winnable Bundesliga outings as they fight for the final automatic Champions League place.

Third-placed Schalke host a Hertha Berlin side desperate for a win in their bid to avoid relegation, while Moenchengladbach, who are two points adrift in fourth, meet lowly Augsburg on Saturday.

Schalke central defender Joel Matip said he believed his side could secure the spot, and was glad their fate was in their own hands.

"The most important thing is that if we win both remaining matches then nobody can take third place away," he said.

"Hertha will fight for every centimetre to get the maximum out for them. We have to hold against that and I believe we have the quality to get all three points."

Sami Hyypia's Bayer Leverkusen sit sixth ahead of their meeting against Hannover, who are just three points adrift.

Hannover will be looking to Mohammed Abdellaoue (11 league goals this season) to find form late in the campaign having failed to net in his last seven outings.

Bayern Munich, fresh from their Champions League semi-final win over Real Madrid, are likely to rest several stars in their meeting with Stuttgart.

Jupp Heynckes' team are certain to finish second in the league, while Stuttgart will be out to secure a European place.

Looking to finish the season on a high, champions Borussia Dortmund visit the relegated Kaiserslautern.

Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp will be hoping star striker Robert Lewandowski (20 league goals), who he wants to keep at the club, can continue what has been a stellar campaign.

In other matches, Mainz and Hamburg meet, while Cologne, who occupy the relegation playoff spot, will be desperate for a win at Freiburg.

Mid-table sides Hoffenheim and Nuremberg do battle, while Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen clash at Volkswagen Arena.