Bayern Munich moved a step closer to clinching the Bundesliga title by earning a 2-0 win over Hoffenheim at the Rhein Neckar Arena.
Despite missing key players due to injury and illness, and with Xabi Alonso sitting on the bench alongside Jerome Boateng and Thiago Alcantara, it was a typically dominant start from the visitors as Pep Guardiola's side controlled possession.
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Chances were difficult to come by until Robert Lewandowski found the space in the box to head Mario Gotze's inviting delivery over the crossbar.
Hoffenheim soaked up the pressure and almost surprised the leaders on the break when Anthony Modeste unleashed a low effort to force Manuel Neuer into an impressive save.
It was Bayern who broke the deadlock before the break when a patient move ended with Lewandowski finding Sebastian Rode, who curled past Oliver Baumann from the edge of the box.
Lewandoski's strength and movement was a constant threat to the Hoffenheim defence, and he created an opportunity for himself early in the second half as he earned space with a clever touch before rattling the crossbar.
Baumann kept Hoffenheim in the game with impressive stops from substitute Thiago and Thomas Muller, and his efforts could have been valuable had Kevin Volland not dragged a shot just wide from outside the box.
Volland's effort proved to be the closest that Hoffenheim would come to an equaliser as Bayern clinched the points in stoppage time when Andreas Beck put the ball into his own net while attempting to clear Muller's dangerous cross.
Callum Mulvihill
