Berlin: Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne helped inspire Wolfsburg to a 3-0 victory over Freiburg on Sunday as the Europa League hopefuls moved back within 11 points of leaders Bayern Munich.
The former Chelsea winger, who failed to nail down a regular place at Stamford Bridge, scored his third goal in two matches in the 19th minute before Ricardo Rodriguez put the result beyond doubt with a penalty 11 minutes from time.
Maximilian Arnold gave the scoreline a flattering look with Wolfsburg’s third goal at the Volkswagen Arena with five minutes left.
Dieter Hecking’s vastly improved side have lost just four times in 25 league matches and are coming off a fine 3-1 win over Inter Milan in their Europa League last-16 first leg tie on Thursday, a match in which De Bruyne struck twice.
The Wolves strengthened their grip on second spot with 53 points from 25 games, nine clear of Borussia Moenchengladbach, who went back into third place with an equally straightforward 2-0 victory over Hanover 96 in Sunday’s other game.
Patrick Herrmann scored both goals as Gladbach moved back into the top three positions that earn a Champions League group stage place.
Herrmann turned in Thorgan Hazard’s cross two minutes before half-time as the Foals were rewarded for their first-half dominance, and he was also left with an easy task of tapping in Max Kruse’s square ball in the 75th minute to complete the win.
Hanover, who have not won since the winter break, were left in 13th place and only four points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
