Mueller keeps Bayern top

Berlin, Feb. 13: Bayern Munich strung three wins together for the first time since November, beating Bochum 3-0 at home in the Bundesliga on Saturday ahead of next week's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

Surprise challengers Union Berlin stayed right on Bayern's heels however, winning 2-1 away at RB Leipzig to come within one point of the Bavarians in Saturday's late game.

Bayern lacked fluidity early against a strong Bochum side in their afternoon fixture but were gifted a goal in the first half, when veteran forward Thomas Mueller pounced on an under-hit back pass from Bochum defender Saidy Janko to score.

In-form French forward Kingsley Coman made it 2-0 on 64 minutes, while former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry won and converted a penalty with just over 15 minutes remaining to give his side a comfortable win.

Despite the win, a frustrated Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann said his side needed to improve before the PSG meeting. In Saturday's late game, Union came from behind to win 2-1 at Leipzig, reclaiming second spot on the ladder.

Borussia Dortmund made it six from six in 2023, winning 2-0 at Bremen to go third in the table, three points behind Bayern.

Atalanta go third 

Atalanta climbed into the Serie A Champions League places with a 2-0 win at rivals Lazio on Saturday as fellow top-four hopefuls Roma stumbled to a 1-1 draw against lowly Lecce.

Goals from Davide Zappacosta and Rasmus Hojlund saw the Bergamo club jump from sixth to third, leapfrogging Lazio, reigning champions AC Milan and Roma in the fierce battle to qualify for Europe's top club competition.

Maurizio Sarri's Lazio, who could have overtaken city rivals Roma with a win at the Stadio Olimpico, dropped to sixth and lie two points off the top four.

Atalanta, Roma and fifth-placed Milan are level on 41 points but remain some 15 points behind runaway leaders Napoli. Jose Mourinho's Roma occupy the final Champions League spot after dropping two points at 14th-placed Lecce. 

Betis stay near top 4 

Sergio Canales scored a superb goal and assisted for Real Betis' winner to lead a 3-2 victory at Almeria on Saturday, keeping his team in the chase for a European berth in the Spanish league.

Valencia was unable to escape the relegation zone after Athletic Bilbao won 2-1 at Mestalla Stadium amid a protest by the home fans against the club owners. Sevilla got first-half goals from Youssef En-Nesyri and Bryan Gil to beat Mallorca 2-0 at home. A fourth consecutive league win at home for Sevilla lifted Jorge Sampaoli's side into 12th place.

Monaco beat PSG

A Paris Saint-Germain side missing the injured Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe and hit by a stomach bug warmed up for their Champions League showdown against Bayern Munich by falling to a 3-1 defeat at Monaco in Ligue 1 on Saturday. All the goals came in the first half at the Stade Louis II, with Aleksandr Golovin putting Monaco ahead inside four minutes and Wissam Ben Yedder doubling the home side's lead.

The 16-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery pulled one back for PSG but Ben Yedder scored his second of the game, and 19th goal this season, to make it 3-1 in first-half stoppage time.

PSG remain top of the table, although their lead has been reduced to five points over Marseille, who won 2-0 at Clermont. (AFP)