Story highlights
Bayern Munich go 10 points clear at the top of German Bundesliga
2-0 win at Freiburg with goals from Thomas Mueller and Anatoliy Tymoschuk
Bayer Leverkusen up to second with 4-1 win at Werder Bremen
Barcelona progress to last 16 of Spanish Cup
Bayern Munich took a commanding 10-point lead in the Bundesliga with a 2-0 win at 10-man Freiburg Wednesday.
The Bavarian giants were always in command once Thomas Mueller had given them the lead after just 12 minutes.
The German international slotted home a penalty after Oliver Sorg’s handball to concede the early spot kick.
The home side’s chances of a comeback suffered a major blow just six minutes later as their Senegal defender Fallou Diagne was sent off when he pulled down Bayern’s Xherdan Shaqiri as he burst clear on goal.
A 79th minute strike from Anatoliy Tymoschuk sealed the three points for the visitors, who face a major test at reigning champions Borussia Dortmund Saturday.
Dortmund, so impressive in the European Champions League, continued their faltering domestic league form by being held 1-1 by Fortuna Duesseldorf Tuesday, and they trail Bayern by 11 points going into the weekend clash.
Bayer Leverkusen took advantage of Dortmund’s slip up to move into second in the standings with a 4-1 win over Werder Bremen, their fourth win in their last five league games.
Gonzalo Castro put the visitors on the way with a double before Nils Petersen cut the deficit for Bremen in the 54th minute.
But late goals from captain Simon Rolfes and Jans Hegeler clinched the thumping victory.
In other games Wednesday, Borussia Moenchengladbach beat VfL Wolfsburg 2-0 while VfB Stuttgart beat bottom side Augsburg 2-1.
Hoffenheim lost 4-2 at Nuremberg to drop into the bottom three.
In Spain’s Copa del Rey, league leaders Barcelona eased into the last 16 with a 3-1 home win over Alaves for a 6-1 aggregate win.
Alaves were tied 1-1 at halftime in the Camp Nou before a David Villa double in the second half sealed victory for Barca, who rested Lionel Messi.
Sevilla also went through 6-1 on aggregate with a 3-0 away win at Espanyol.