ANALYSIS: HOW BAYERN SET NEW BUNDESLIGA ALL-TIME LEADERSHIP MARK

Bayern Munich scores twice in stoppage time to beat St. Pauli 3-1! The dramatic comeback extends their record Bundesliga lead and breaks a nine-game losing streak for the hosts.

Analysis: How Bayern Set New Bundesliga All-Time Leadership Mark
Bayern Munich Achieves New Bundesliga Top Spot Record

On Saturday, Luis Díaz and Nicolas Jackson scored in stoppage time, saving Bayern Munich from a potential upset with a 3-1 victory over St. Pauli in the Bundesliga.

Even if Bayern had lost, they would still have set a new league record of leading the Bundesliga for 44 straight matchdays.

Three minutes into added time, Díaz redirected Joshua Kimmich's cross with his shoulder, crushing St. Pauli's hope of earning a point. Soon after, Serge Gnabry assisted Jackson, who scored again.

These goals extended St. Pauli’s losing streak in the league to nine games and helped Bayern avoid some tough questions, especially after their first defeat of the season against Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday.

A tie against the newly promoted team from Hamburg would have marked Bayern's second draw in three league games, after Union Berlin ended their record-breaking 16-game winning streak to start the season with a 2-2 draw on Nov. 8.

Andreas Hountondji shocked Bayern early on, scoring in the sixth minute by shooting the ball between Manuel Neuer's legs after Mathias Pereira Lage won the ball from Konrad Laimer.

The scorer had to be subbed off soon after due to a thigh injury.

Lennart Kark and, later, Tom Bischoff both hit the post as Bayern looked to respond.

Their efforts paid off just before halftime when Díaz set up Raphaël Guerreiro for the tying goal. Díaz initially attempted to control the ball but, after losing his footing, backheeled it to Guerreiro.

Harry Kane also hit the post late in the game as Bayern continued to search for the winning goal.

Elsewhere, Heidenheim also scored twice in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win at Union, moving them off the bottom of the table. St. Pauli fell to last place.

Said El Mala scored in stoppage time for Cologne, drawing their game at Werder Bremen 1-1. Bremen’s Niklas Stark was ejected after committing two bad fouls on the Cologne player.

Hoffenheim easily defeated Augsburg 3-0, with all goals scored in the first half.

Bayer Leverkusen played Borussia Dortmund later that day.

MATTHAUS WARNS KOMPANY: DO NOT CHANGE ATTACKING STYLE DESPITE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EXIT

Bayern have secured the Bundesliga! Read why Matthaus wants more "spectacular football" despite the 6-5 aggregate loss to PSG.

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Matthaus Demands Loyalty To Kompany’s Aggressive Tactical Vision - Photo Credit: IMAGO/Markus Ulmer

Lothar Matthaus has called on Vincent Kompany to continue with his attacking style, despite Bayern Munich's exit from the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain. The German legend feels Bayern’s entertaining approach shouldn’t be altered even though their defence showed vulnerabilities during the 6-5 aggregate loss in the semi-finals.

After conceding six goals over two legs, Bayern’s Champions League run came to an end. While the defeat exposed defensive issues, it also highlighted the offensive strategy Kompany has brought to the team. These defensive struggles aren’t limited to Europe either; high-scoring Bundesliga matches, like the 4-3 win over Mainz and the 3-3 draw with Heidenheim, have revealed a back line that’s still trying to find the right balance between taking risks and maintaining solidity.

Matthaus, who once captained Bayern, stresses that the club should stick with Kompany’s attacking mindset, even if it leaves them open at the back. He pointed out, “With such an attacking style of play, you can't defend everything, of course. Yes, they've conceded quite a few goals, but they’re still having a successful season and are close to winning the double. They’ve even made it to the Champions League semi-finals.”

The return of excitement at the Allianz Arena was clear, especially during the second leg when Ousmane Dembele’s early goal stunned the crowd. Although Harry Kane’s late equaliser wasn’t enough to turn the tie around, Matthaus sees positives in the bigger picture. He believes Bayern has brought back the thrill and flair fans expect.

“While Bayern didn’t play their best in the semi-final second leg against PSG, they have entertained throughout the year. I look forward to their matches because they’re usually packed with goals. Bayern stands for spectacular football, and this season has been no different. I wouldn’t move away from that style,” Matthaus shared.

With the focus shifting back to domestic competitions, Bayern have already secured the Bundesliga championship. They still have two league games left against Wolfsburg and Koln before preparing for the DFB-Pokal final against Stuttgart on May 23.

BAYERN MUNICH RULE OUT MARCUS RASHFORD MOVE REGARDLESS OF ANTHONY GORDON OUTCOME

Marcus Rashford is not a target for Bayern Munich this summer, as the club focuses entirely on signing Gordon from Newcastle.

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Bayern Munich excluded Marcus Rashford from their summer plans - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Bayern Munich aren’t considering a move for Marcus Rashford this summer, no matter what happens with Anthony Gordon. That’s according to a German reporter who’s close to the story.

Right now, Rashford is wrapping up his loan at Barcelona. He’s set to return to Manchester United at the end of the season. Barcelona have an option to make the deal permanent for €30 million (£26 million) in the summer. Both Rashford and Barcelona want him to stay, but here’s the catch: the club doesn’t want to pay the full €30 million.

Barcelona would rather keep Rashford on loan for another year or get him for a lower fee. Manchester United’s not having it. They want the full price, so Barcelona are starting to look at other players.

Rashford hasn’t made a secret of where he wants to be. Earlier in the season, he told Sport, one of the local Barcelona papers, about how much he wants to stay, saying, “Of course, what I want is to stay at Barca. It’s the ultimate goal.” He talked about the pressure and expectations at the club, saying they keep him motivated and that he feels like he’s in the perfect environment to grow and win trophies. For now, though, it’s all up in the air until next summer.

Last year, Bayern Munich actually showed some interest in Rashford before he went to Barcelona. But now, they’re focused on signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United for the left wing. The problem is, Gordon’s interested, but Newcastle’s price is ridiculous, reportedly around £80 million (€92.6 million). That’s much higher than what Bayern’s willing to pay. They’re thinking closer to £60 million (€69.4 million), and maybe with add-ons or an instalment plan. If Newcastle won’t budge, it probably isn’t happening.

Christian Falk, a trusted journalist from Bild, says Bayern aren’t considering Rashford as a backup if they can’t land Gordon. Bayern’s got a short list of players for the left wing, and Rashford isn’t on it. Gordon’s their main focus, but even if that deal falls through, Rashford’s not the next in line.

So at this stage, Bayern and Rashford won’t be coming together this summer, even if Gordon stays at Newcastle. That’s just not in the plans.

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