German rivals ring changes

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes paid tribute to opponents Freiburg for making them work hard for three points yesterday.

Bayern set a new points record for the Bundesliga, bettering the 81 managed by Borussia Dortmund last season thanks to Xherdan Shaqiri’s single goal in a tight encounter.

“I had warned my team before the game about Freiburg,” said Heynckes. “What [coach Christian] Streich has achieved at Freiburg is sensational. Something has grown there over the years and it was a really tough game. ”

Heynckes changed 10 of his players from the side which started against Barcelona on Tuesday with only Jerome Boateng keeping his place, but even with a seemingly weakened side Bayern are in a league of their own.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund’s director of sport Hans-Joachim Watzke said his side’s 2-1 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf proved that there is not just one side in the Bundesliga with great strength in depth.

Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp made 10 changes to the side which had beaten Real Madrid 4-1 in the Champions League last Wednesday, keeping only defender Mats Hummels in his starting 11 on Saturday.

“It has been said for weeks that there is only one club who can rotate and still win games,” said Watzke. “I’m very pleased that we have now done that successfully for a second time, just to show people that we also have players who can prove themselves in such a match.”

Malaga, banned from Europe next season, boosted their hopes of a top-four finish in the Primera Division with a narrow victory over mid-table Getafe at La Rosaleda last night.

Goals either side of half time by Roque Santa Cruz and Weligton put the hosts in control, before Juan Valera grabbed a consolation for Getafe with 15 minutes left.

Real Sociedad remain favourites to finish fourth, however, as they beat Valencia 4-2 last night, Imanol Agirretxe sealing the win in injury time with an exquisite chipped finish.

Barcelona must wait a bit longer to seal the title after conceding a last-minute goal in a 2-2 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Atletico 2-1 and they now trail Barca by 11 points with five games left.

In Italy, substitute Giampaolo Pazzini scored twice in three minutes to help Milan come from 2-1 down to beat Catania 4-2 at the San Siro and stay on track for third spot.