Defending champion Bayern Munich routed Schalke 4-0 to join Borussia Dortmund atop the Bundesliga on Saturday. Two goals in two minutes set the visitors on their way to their most impressive performance since Pep Guardiola took over as coach in the summer. Bastian Schweinsteiger scored with a header from Arjen Robben's corner in the 21st, before Mario Mandzukic made it 2-0 with the home side still reeling. The third goal seemed just a matter of time and David Alaba set up Franck Ribery to score from close range in the 75th. Then Claudio Pizarro scored his first goal of the season in the 84th, three minutes after coming on as a substitute. Dortmund earlier drew 1-1 at Nuremberg to drop its first points of the season. Dortmund defender Marcel Schmelzer opened the scoring with a curling free kick over the wall and inside the right post in the 37th. But Per Nilsson equalized after a Nuremberg free kick in the 51st and the visitors were unable to extend their five-game winning run despite several late chances. Dortmund substitutes Robert Lewandowski and Jonas Hofmann both tested goalkeeper Raphael Schaefer, before Nuremberg substitute Alexander Esswein wasted a clear chance to seal the home side's first win when he missed with only the goalkeeper to beat in injury time. Schmelzer and Marco Reus were taken off at halftime with a thigh injury and dead leg respectively. "It hurts a lot and the dates are coming in rapid succession,'' said Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp with an eye on Tuesday's German Cup game at 1860 Munich. Werder Bremen defeated Hamburger SV 2-0 to compound a bad week for the home side, which sacked Thorsten Fink as coach late Monday. Bayer Leverkusen won 4-1 at Mainz, Wolfsburg came from behind to defeat Hoffenheim 2-1, and Szabolcs Huszti's late penalty gave Hannover a 2-1 win over Augsburg. Nils Petersen was the hero for Bremen with two goals in the league's 99th northern derby - the 179th meeting between the sides. The visitors deservedly took the lead in the 32nd, when former Hamburg player Eljero Elia's back-heel sent Clemens Fritz down the right. The midfielder held off Marcell Jansen's challenge and crossed for the in-flying Peterson to score from close range. Bremen goalkeeper Sebastian Mielitz made several good saves to deny Hamburg an equalizer, with Rafael van der Vaart and Maximilian Beister posing the greatest threats. Milan Badelj had a penalty claim turned down in the first half after appearing to fall theatrically when Bremen defender Luca Caldirola caught his foot. Petersen sealed the result in the final minute of a hectic game when he shot into the unguarded net with Hamburg keeper Rene Adler out of his goal. Leverkusen's game at Mainz was effectively over by halftime with the visitors leading 3-0. Robbie Kruse scored with a deft flick past Mainz goalkeeper Heinz Mueller in the 19th, Lars Bender's deflected shot gave Mueller no chance in the 38th, and Simon Rolfes set up Kruse's second before the break. Rolfes then crossed for Stefan Kiessling to score with a header in the 59th, before Yunus Malli claimed an 82nd-minute consolation. Hoffenheim striker Anthony Modeste opened the scoring in Wolfsburg in the 15th, seizing on a poor back pass from Koo Ja-cheol before rounding the goalkeeper. But Ivica Olic equalized before the break, and claimed his second after it, when he flicked the ball over the outrushing goalkeeper with his first touch. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/82161.aspx
