Bundesliga
Franck Ribery hit a brace to ensure Bayern Munich remain within touching distance of Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund, scoring in either half to pave the way to a 3-0 victory away to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Goals: 0-1 Ribery (35'), 0-2 Ribery (79'), 0-3 Rafinha (88')
This game was billed as headline fixture on Matchday 17 and it did not disappoint. The opening minutes flew by in a blur of chances at both ends, as Danny Da Costa, Sebastien Haller and Luka Jovic all spurned glorious opportunities to score for the hosts early on. Bayern soon replied and after David Alaba went close with a free-kick, Kevin Trapp made an outrageous double save to keep out headers from Javi Martinez and Thomas Müller. A goal was coming and eventually it was Bayern who got it as Ribery arrived at the back post to finish off a swift counter-attack.
The second half carried on where the first left off and Da Costa could have equalised following a corner, but could not adjust his feet quickly enough to a bouncing ball with only Manuel Neuer to beat. As was the case before the interval, Frankfurt would come to rue their lack of a cutting edge when Ribery punished them once again, playing a one-two with Joshua Kimmich on the edge of the box before tucking in at the near post. Rafinha sealed the points late on, his attempted cross to the back post floating over Trapp and into the top corner.
Frankfurt: Trapp - Salcedo, Falette, N'Dicka - da Costa, Fernandes (c) (Müller 69'), Gacinovic (de Guzman 43'), Willems - Kostic - Haller, Jovic
Unused subs: Rönnow, Stendera, Russ, Tawatha, Hrgota
Out: Abraham (calf), Allan (knee), Chandler (knee), Hasebe (thigh), Paciencia (knee), Torro (pelvis), Rebic (unknown)
Coach: Adi Hütter
Bayern: Neuer (c) - Rafinha, Süle, Boateng, Alaba - Kimmich, Martinez – Müller (Shabani 90'), Thiago, Ribery (Coman 90') – Lewandowski (Wagner 90')
Unused subs: Ulreich, Mai
Out: Gnabry (adductor), James (knee), Robben (thigh), Sanches (suspended), Tolisso (knee), Goretzka (adductor), Hummels (back)
Coach: Niko Kovac