23.01.2010
Van Gaal's delight as Bayern go top
Bayern Munich's striker Arjen Robben (R) is shadowed by Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Oezil during a Bundesliga match in Bremen, northern Germany.
Bayern Munich had a wonder strike from Dutch star Arjen Robben to thank for their 3-2 win at Werder Bremen which put them top of the Bundesliga and left coach Louis van Gaal delighted.
An eighth consecutive win in all competitions, and their sixth in the Bundesliga, has put Bayern top of the league with a single-point advantage over second-placed Leverkusen, who take on Hoffenheim on Sunday.
Goals by rising star Thomas Mueller and Croatia striker Ivica Olic put Bayern in control before Robben unleashed a direct free-kick from 20 metres out which left Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese with no chance of saving.
"I?m very happy coach," said van Gaal as his side's win left Bremen sixth in the league.
"Werder Bremen are a team who take risks, and we took advantage of that on this occasion.
"I was pleased we were so keen to attack, but unfortunately, we failed to make the most of our chances.
"It?s unbelievable we?ve only won 3-2, we should have won by a lot more.
"We?ve played well, but missed far too many chances, which is a shame.
"It meant the bench was a stressful place right to the end.
"But it?s never easy against Werder Bremen."
And Dutch winger Robben, who celebrated his 26th birthday with the winning goal - his fifth of the season - said he could have over-taken Leverkusen's Steffan Kiessling as the league's top-scorer had he taken all his chances.
"We?re heading in the right direction and playing good football," said Robbem.
"We might have scored ten, we had so many chances but didn?t make the most of them, myself included.
"I could even have overtaken Kiessling (who has scored 12 goals). Sometimes the easy ones just won?t go in - and the difficult ones do."
Source: © 2010 AFP - David Hecker
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