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E-mail Xinhua, February 24, 2025
Bayern Munich wrapped up the Bundesliga's matchday 23 with a commanding 4-0 victory over a lackluster Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday.
Frankfurt began the match brightly, pressing high and nearly capitalizing on a misdirected pass from Hiroki Ito, but Hugo Ekitike shot wide just six minutes in. Moments later, Michael Olise demonstrated Bayern's attacking intent, yet his close-range effort flew past the right-hand post.
Harry Kane (R) of Bayern Munich vies with Arthur Theate of Eintracht Frankfurt during the German first division of Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt in Munich, Germany, Feb. 23, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
While the Eagles were brave in the early minutes, they gradually ceded control, allowing Bayern to dominate possession. The hosts came close to opening the scoring in the 15th minute when Rasmus Kristensen made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Jamal Musiala.
As the first half progressed, Bayern tightened their grip on the game, with both Olise and Thomas Muller testing Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, while Musiala went close just before half-time after a cross from Muller.
Just when it seemed the teams would head into the break goalless, Bayern struck in first-half injury time. Musiala set up Leroy Sane, whose precise cross was met by Olise from close range to give Bayern the lead.
After the break, Bayern continued to assert their dominance, with Nmamdi Collins narrowly tipping Sane's 53rd-minute shot wide. Despite the hosts favoring ball control over relentless attacking, Frankfurt struggled to pose any real threat.
The visitors' challenges were exacerbated on the hour mark when Trapp misjudged a corner, allowing the ball to fall to Ito, who slotted home his first goal for Bayern.
At that point, the game was effectively sealed, with Bayern in complete control. Despite several substitutions, Frankfurt could not find a way back into the match. The final touch came in stoppage time when Serge Gnabry beat Trapp to cap off the dominant 4-0 victory.
This result reinforces the German giants' title ambitions, leaving Frankfurt 12 points adrift of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen. "Beating the third-placed team in the Bundesliga at home was exactly what we aimed to achieve," said Bayern sporting director Max Eberl.
In other matches, Heidenheim squandered a two-goal lead against RB Leipzig, who fought back to secure a 2-2 draw at home, while a wasteful Stuttgart settled for a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim.
