German League: Bayern Munich inch towards title

Bayern Munich midfielder Douglas Costa (centre) celebrates with team mates after scoring his side’s second goal in their German League match against hosts Hertha Berlin on Saturday. Bayern won 2-0. (Photo: AFP)

Bayern Munich must wait another week to claim an historic fourth consecutive Bundesliga title although Saturday’s 2-0 win at Hertha Berlin left them seven points clear with three games left.

Bayern could have had the league wrapped up in the capital had second-placed Dortmund not won 3-0 at VfB Stuttgart.

That result means Pep Guardiola’s Bavarians can secure the title by beating Borussia Moechenglad-bach at Munich’s Allianz Arena next Saturday, regardless of other results.

“We have everything in our own hands and that was a bit step towards the title,” beamed Guardiola, adding that Dortmund’s win had maybe done Bayern a favour.

“Perhaps it’s not such a bad thing, it means we’ll become German champions at home.”

No other team have won four consecutive league titles in Germany’s top flight.

Guardiola’s Bayern remain on course for the treble in his last season before coaching Manchester City.

Bayern took the lead at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium when Mario Goetze’s pass found Vidal in space.

The Chile midfielder drilled home his shot from 22 metres, which took a deflection on it’s way past Berlin goalkeeper Thomas Kraft on 48 minutes.

Brazil winger Douglas Costa doubled Bayern’s lead with a breath-taking strike from the right flank which looped over the Hertha goalkeeper on 79 minutes.

But this was a far from polished performance from Bayern, ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal, first-leg, at Atletico Madrid.

They managed just six shots on goal, compared to Hertha’s nine.