Bayern Munich 3-1 Schalke: Robert Lewandowski leads the series as he inspires victory over his rivals

Bayern Munich are not quite what they were.

They lack the killer instinct, sense of law and maybe a touch of quality that they have enjoyed in recent years.

However, as they won a 3-1 victory over Schalke at the Allianz Arena on Saturday night, it was interesting to note that they remained a force to be reckoned with.

Robert Lewandowski played a leading role as Bayern Munich defeated rivals Schalke

A leak, a more rustic force perhaps, but a force. Despite persistent problems with Niko Kovac's first season, Bayern remain impressive when they want to.

Despite four defeats in the league this season, the victory over Schalke has allowed them to stay in the Bundesliga title.

After starting the day in third place, they finished second, five points behind Borussia Dortmund.

A week after their 3-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern has resumed operations.

The results of the day had been good for them. Dortmund had a three-goal lead over Hoffenheim and Gladbach, second, humbled 3-0 at home against Hertha Berlin.

It was the last turning point of a curious title race, in which Dortmund never managed to carve out a place for himself, despite Bayern's best attempts to help him.

Bayern and Schalke will both meet English opponents in the Champions League in the coming weeks. This match gave a good idea of ​​what awaits Manchester City and Liverpool.

Schalke, quite simply, are not very good and seem doomed to limit the damage done to City.

Lewansdowski tries a low blow that ends up falling against Serge Gnabry in the area

Gnabry points to Bayern Munich's third goal as he creates a two-goal cushion on Saturday

The German winger (# 22) moves the pot as Bayern scores his third goal in the second half

The former Arsenal man gives a thumbs up after scoring against Schalke at the Allianz Arena

Bayern, meanwhile, can still be extremely slippery. Liverpool should not underestimate the intelligence and firepower of his attack, even without Arjen Robben. However, the Reds also have serious weaknesses to exploit, especially at the back.

Kovac had created the surprise with his two central defenders Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng.

It was the first time the two men had started side by side since the defeat at Dortmund in November and Boateng's first start in 2019. It also meant that Niklas Sule, who is now arguably the best central defender of Bayern, had to warm up. The bench.

Lewandowski finished quietly in front of Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Faehrmann (right), to take the score to 2-1

The striker is congratulated by his teammates after taking over advantage at Bayern

However, it was central Schalke defensemen who raised a few raised eyebrows as Bayern took advantage five minutes later.

Jeffrey Bruma and Salif Sane let Robert Lewandowski slip between the two, and in the scrum of the legs, Bruma put the ball in his own net.

Twenty minutes of total domination later, Bayern's defense underwent its first serious test and missed it quickly.

After a mistake by James at the other end, Schalke's fierce counterattack ended with the sight of 18-year-old forward Ahmed Kutucu, who luckily beat Boateng and crashed the ball past Sven. Ulreich.

Ahmed Kutucu marks his debut at Schalke to bring visitors level

The beginner is congratulated by his teammates equalize in the first half

Boateng's criticisms have been excessive this season, but there is no doubt that he has lost ground in recent years. Hummels, meanwhile, was not found. After a defensive yell in the middle of the week, he has every reason to be worried about his place.

Fortunately for Bayern, they remain ruthless at the front. Shortly after the recovery, Serge Gnabry jumped on a loose ball; James served it perfectly for Lewandowski, who sent him home without any worries.

It was a moment to cheer Manchester City fans. For a team that has often prepared to defend, Schalke's defense is remarkably prone to accidents.

It was therefore in the first half, as they were trying to soak up Bayern's pressure and gave them two goals. Not so much to park the bus as to park the bike.

Schalke defender Jeffrey Bruma (left) scores after attempting to defend Lewandowski

The Polish striker celebrates Bayern after 12 minutes of play, Saturday

2-1 was a halftime score that flattered the visitors. Despite their domination at one end, Bayern remains clumsy at the back. Shortly after the break, they were panicked as Schalke headed for the front and cleaned his lines only with a chance net.

Moments later, however, they had doubled their lead when Serge Gnabry redirected Lewandowski 's weak free – kick. It was a third goal this week for Gnabry, who is looking for a more and more worthy successor to Robben on the right.

Lewandowski, meanwhile, will wonder how he ended the match with a goal instead of three.

At a quarter of an hour before the finish, the Pole missed two sitters in the space of two minutes, both from start to finish. However, he always had a smile on his face. Be that as it may, Bayern Munich is not totally dark at the moment.