Bayern Munich have gone four points clear atop the Bundesliga with a 6-0 home romp over struggling Schalke, ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s late match on Saturday.
Dortmund host Borussia Moenchengladbach and a win can cut Bayern’s lead to one point with two games remaining this season.
A measured Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel said his side “made a step in the right direction — our buried self confidence is coming back” but said “there’s no reason for euphoria, we’ll be tested again on Saturday (against RB Leipzig).”
Veteran Bayern captain Thomas Mueller, given a starting berth after being named on the bench in his side’s last two matches, settled the home side’s nerves early, slotting in after 21 minutes, his first goal in eight matches.
Joshua Kimmich doubled Bayern’s lead shortly after, converting a penalty despite losing his footing after Jamal Musiala copped an arm in the box.
Any slim hopes Schalke had of a comeback were snuffed out early in the second stanza, Gnabry collecting a pass from Joao Cancelo and hammering in at the near post scored for the third consecutive match.
Gnabry added another midway through the second half, French teenager Mathys Tel made it five and Noussair Mazraoui scored his first goal in Bayern colours to put the home side on course for an 11th straight Bundesliga title.
The loss leaves Schalke, who had climbed out of the relegation places for the first time since September with last week’s win at Mainz, in the relegation playoff spot with three games remaining.
