Buoyant Bayern back on track

BAYERN MUNICH shook off a looming crisis and continuing internal strife to crush Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund 4-1 home yesterday.

Bayern, under pressure after a series of poor performances at home and in Europe, restored pride at the expense of their arch-rivals to move up to fourth, six points behind leaders VfB Stuttgart.

“This is a step in the right direction,” said coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, whose team had lost 2-0 to Schalke 04 and were then defeated 2-1 by Lyon in the Champions League.