Bayern Munich secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over St. Pauli on Saturday, with Leroy Sané stepping up in the second half to score twice and help maintain their six-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga.
The win ensures Bayern remain in control of the title race with just seven matches remaining.
As they prepare for their Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Inter Milan on April 8, Bayern sit on 65 points, while closest challengers Bayer Leverkusen, who defeated VfL Bochum 3-1 on Friday, trail with 59.
“We have to continue and we are one game closer. We have to win another seven games,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany emphasized.
However, the victory came at a cost, as defender Hiroki Ito, who was subbed in at the 58th minute, suffered a foot injury late in the game.
The Japan international had only recently returned from a fracture in the same foot, which he broke in July.
Bayern are already dealing with defensive setbacks, with Dayot Upamecano and Alphonso Davies both sidelined due to injuries.
“He (Ito) felt the same foot where he had the problems this season so that’s not great for us,” Kompany admitted. “The extent of what he has is a bit difficult to say right now. Let’s not jump to conclusions but that’s what it was.”
