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Berlin, Germany | AFP | Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich warmed up for Real Madrid with a 3-0 win at Hanover 96 on Saturday as Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski both scored after coming off the bench.
Mueller struck 12 minutes after his half-time introduction before Lewandowski doubled the lead and Sebastian Rudy added a third as coach Jupp Heynckes started a weakened team.
“All in all, we played excellent football,” beamed Heynckes.
It’s all over! #FCBayern score three in the second half to see off @Hannover96 ?⚪ #packmas #H96FCB #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/gOFegCdLIg
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) April 21, 2018
“The team is in top form, regardless of who plays and in what position.
“When you have a Champions League game on the horizon, it’s important to win league games like this.”
With an eye on Wednesday’s blockbuster Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Real, Heynckes left out several regulars while handing 18-year-old centre-back Lars Lukas Mai his Bundesliga debut.
Arjen Robben captained the side with Thiago Alcantara, James Rodriguez and Jerome Boateng the only other outfield players in Saturday’s line-up likely to start against Real.
Both sides had their chances in a goalless first half before Bayern pulled away.
Thomas Müller, Robert Lewandowski and Sebastian Rudy scored in the second half as Bayern won 3-0 at Hannover.
Are they favourites to beat Real Madrid in their #UCL semi-final? pic.twitter.com/ainCgBv7Wu
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 21, 2018
After Mueller replaced Robben, the Germany international struck on 57 minutes when his first-time shot from a Juan Bernat cross deflected off Salif Sane and past goalkeeper Philipp Tschauner.
Bayern’s top scorer Lewandowski added a second just six minutes after coming on himself for his 38th time this season in all competitions.
Defensive midfielder Rudy capped the win a minute from time to leave Bayern 23 points clear of second-placed Schalke, who are at bottom side Cologne on Sunday.
