Dortmund on verge of German title as Bayern draw

Defending champions Borussia Dortmund put one hand on the German league title on Saturday as their 2-1 win at Schalke left them eight points clear at the top of the table with three games left.

With second-placed Bayern Munich being held to a goalless draw at home to Mainz on Saturday night, the Bavarians now have only a slender chance of denying Dortmund a second consecutive title.

“It feels good, but no, nothing has been decided yet,” insisted Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp, while president Reinhard Rauball said Borussia deserved to be where they are.

“In the last few days we have beaten the second and third placed teams in the table, so this team has earned their place at the top,” he said after Borussia also beat Bayern 1-0 in Dortmund on Wednesday. Bayern host Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final, first-leg, on Tuesday and coach Jupp Heynckes paid the price for resting several stars as captain Philipp Lahm, wing Franck Ribery and striker Mario Gomez all started on the bench. “This is obviously very disappointing for us, we had to score a goal,” said Bayern's Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger.

“Now we look towards Tuesday, because it's all or nothing. You can't just give 100 percent, you have to cross the line.” As Bayern were frustrated in Munich, Klopp's team took the opportunity to extend their lead but they had to come from behind in Gelsenkirchen.

“That was real work for all parties with Borussia Dortmund as the lucky winners,” said Klopp, who has steadfastly refused to talk about the title.

“We squeezed out everything we had against a robust, physical opponent and we were better after it went 1-1. That was a hard opponent on a tough ground. BERLINApril 14, 2012