HEIDENHEIM, Germany (AP) — Harry Kane scored his 30th club goal of the season and Bayern Munich shook off an injury crisis on Sunday to sweep Heidenheim 4-0 to take a nine-point lead into the Bundesliga winter break.
Kane has scored 30 goals in 25 games for Bayern this season, 19 of which were in the German league.
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Bayern coach Vincent Kompany named a bench of young players after his squad was reduced by injuries to several players including captain Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich, Konrad Laimer’s suspension, Nicholas Jackson’s absence from the Africa Cup of Nations and illness of three players.
The starters ensured control of the game long before substitutes were needed.
Two defenders combined to open the scoring for Bayern, with Josip Stanisic heading home Jonathan Tah’s corner kick.
Heidenheim fans said staying in the top flight was “our Christmas wish” in a giant banner displayed before kick-off, but their team missed the mark and went into the winter break in 17th place among the 18 Bundesliga teams.
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Bayern’s second goal was an extreme example of how defensive mistakes have cost Heidenheim this year. Defender Patrick Mainka collided with the goalkeeper and the ball bounced around the area until Michael Ollis finally fired it into the back of the net.
In the 86th minute, Luis Dias scored with a header from Stanisic’s cross, and Kane made it 4-0.
Bayern has not lost to a German opponent since March and has 13 wins and 2 draws in 15 Bundesliga games this season, averaging more than 3.6 goals per game.
Dortmund are second, nine points behind Vincent Kompany’s side, with Bayer Leverkusen and Leipzig both three behind.
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Also on Sunday, new Mainz coach Urs Fischer remained unbeaten in four games in all competitions as his side drew 0-0 with St. Pauli. St. Pauli ranked 16th.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer