Bayern and Schalke pull clear

Bayern Munich and Schalke set up next week’s top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash nicely with victories that pulled them clear of the chasing pack today.

Bayern won 1-0 at home to champions Werder Bremen thanks to an early Michael Ballack goal and lead the table from Schalke on goal difference.

Defeat left third-placed Bremen seven points off the pace but victory came at a price for Bayern with the loss of Roy Makaay for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Arsenal through injury.

Schalke had Brazilian pair Ailton and Lincoln to thank for their 2-0 win at Bochum.

Liverpool’s opponents in the Champions League this week, Bayer Leverkusen, were beaten 1-0 by fifth-placed Hamburg.

Stuttgart are just a point behind Bremen in fourth following a 2-1 win at home to Arminia Bielefeld.

A late goal gave Dick Advocaat’s Borussia Monchengladbach an important 1-0 win at home to Wolfsburg while Hansa Rostock moved off the bottom with a 1-0 victory at Hannover.

Freiburg are the new bottom side after a 5-0 thrashing by fellow strugglers Mainz.