BERLIN, Feb 12: Thomas Müller set a Bayern Munich record for Bundesliga appearances and celebrated by scoring in a 3-0 win over Bochum to keep the defending champions on top on Saturday.
It was Müller’s 428th league appearance for Bayern, one more than club great Gerd Müller, and the most for any outfield player at the club. Only goalkeepers Oliver Kahn (429) and Sepp Meier (473) have played more Bundesliga games for Bayern.
Müller capitalized on a botched backpass from Bochum defender Saidy Janko to break the deadlock in the 41st minute.
Bayern substitute Kingsley Coman finished some fine combination play in the 64th and Serge Gnabry sealed it with a penalty in the 73rd after he was fouled by the luckless Janko.
It kept Bayern one point clear of Union Berlin, which came from behind to beat Leipzig 2-1 again in the late game.Bayern next visits Paris Saint-Germain the Champions League.
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann was evidently thinking of Tuesday’s game when he took Müller off at halftime.
He took the opportunity to give some time off to João Cancelo, Jamal Musiala, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Leroy Sané.Nagelsmann said he took Müller off as a precaution because of a calf problem and he thinks the veteran will be fit for Paris. Other Results: Union Berlin 2-1 Leipzig,Dortmund 2-0 Werder Bremen, Freiburg 2-1 Stuttgart, Mainz 3-1 Augsburg. Hoffenheim 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke04 0-0 Werder Bremen. (AP)
