Darmstadt relegate, Dortmund edge Hoffenheim in German Bundesliga

Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-07 09:11:21|Editor: ZD
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BERLIN, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich sealed Darmstadt's relegation after Juan Bernat scored the only goal of the match and Dortmund defeated Hoffenheim 2-0 at the top clash of the 32nd round in Bundesliga on Saturday.

Newly crowned champions Bayern Munich showed no mercy as Juan Bernat's sole goal sealed Darmstadt's relegation into the second division with two rounds to spare.

Despite having wrapped up their fifth successive Bundesliga title last week Bayern took the reins from the kick off against bottom dwelling Darmstadt, who postponed their relegation with three straight wins in the last games.

The visitors defended well but were unable to prevent the German record champions from breaking the deadlock with 18 minutes into the clash. Franck Ribery dribbled his way through the right wing before passing into path of Bernat, who slotted home with the outside of his boot from inside the box.

Carlo Ancelotti's men controlled the proceedings on the pitch comfortably yet they were unable to extend their lead despite promising opportunities.

Darmstadt eventually had the chance to restore parity out of the blue but Hamit Altintop failed to convert an awarded foul-play penalty as substitute goalie Tom Starke denied with a diving safe in the 86th minute.

With the result, front-runners Bayern wrap up their 23rd win of the season whereas Darmstadt suffered their 22nd loss.

Borussia Dortmund set the course for a direct UEFA Champions League qualification after ousting Hoffenheim from the 3rd place in the standings following a 2-1 win.

The "BVB" caught a fairy tale start on home soil as Marco Reus opened the scoring after nutmegging Hoffenheim custodian Oliver Baumann with just four minutes into the game.

Dortmund should have added another goal to their lead eight minutes later but top striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed the target following a foul play penalty.

With the one-goal lead, Dortmund focused on fast break and let Hoffenheim, who lacked in ideas to overcome the host's bulwark, do the work.

Nonetheless, the "BVB" had to wait until the closing period before they doubled the lead as Aubameyang headed home Raphael Guerreiro's rebound in the 82nd minute.

Hoffenheim remained unfazed and reduced the arrears through Andrej Kramaric, who converted a foul play penalty four minutes later. However, Dortmund held on and ousted Hoffenheim from the third place.

With the win, Dortmund climb from the 4th to the 3rd meanwhile Hoffenheim slipped from the 3rd to the 4th place.

Elsewhere, newly promoted Leipzig consolidated their 2nd place and Champions League ambitions after crushing Hertha Berlin 4-1 as Timo Werner and substitute Davie Selke were on target twice.

Borussia Monchengladbach snatched a late 1-1 draw against Augsburg owing to the late equalizer from Andre Hahn.

Kais Havertz secured Bayer Leverkusen a 1-1 draw after cancelling out Ingolstadt's opener through Sonny Kittel and Wolfsburg reaped a vital 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt as goals from Daniel Didavi and Mario Gomez smoothed the way for the win.

The following fixtures conclude the 32nd round on Sunday: Hamburg host Mainz and Freiburg encounter Schalke.

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