Bayern up to third as Gomez, Badstuber strike

Germany striker Mario Gomez hit his third goal in his third consecutive Bundesliga game on Friday night to help Bayern Munich seal a 2-1 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach to go third in the table.

The 24-year-old added to his strikes against Hanover and Leverkusen with a fine first-half strike before 20-year-old defender Holger Badstuber hit the winning goal after Borussia had equalised.

Bayern must win at Turin’s Olympic Stadium against Juventus next Tuesday to book a place in the Champions League knockout stages and this win was a much needed confidence booster.

The result now leaves Louis van Gaal’s Bayern third in the table and just three points behind league leaders Leverkusen and level with second-placed Werder Bremen on 27 points.

Leverkusen are at Hanover on Saturday, while Werder Bremen are at Cologne on Sunday.

Bayern have dramatically improved their league position with their second consecutive win and Gomez gave them the perfect start when he slotted home on 19 minutes having given Gladbach goalkeeper Logan Bailly no chance.

The visitors’ Dutch defender Roel Brouwers equalised in the 28th minute, but Bayern’s rising star Badstuber made sure of the three points with a 75th-minute direct free-kick.