Bayern Munich maintained its march toward a 23rd Bundesliga title with a 3-0 win at Mainz on Saturday.
''That was a very important win for us today with regard to the German title,'' Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said. ''We knew it wouldn't be an easy game and we planned it accordingly. The team implemented (the tactics) very well.''
Mario Mandzukic scored twice, and Thomas Mueller scored to justify Heynckes' decision to leave Dutch star Arjen Robben and Germany striker Mario Gomez on the bench.
''It's important that one is there for the others. I think that sets us apart, that we're a good squad,'' Mandzukic said.
Mueller opened the scoring with the visitors' first real chance four minutes before the break, when he rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball in from the narrowing angle.
Mandzukic made it 2-0 in the 50th minute when he stole in ahead of a defender to meet David Alaba's cross.
The Croatian claimed his league-leading 14th of the season seven minutes later, meeting Philipp Lahm's cross to score with a simple header.
Bayern moved 14 points clear of Bayer Leverkusen after its 16th win of the season. Leverkusen hosts third-placed Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
''It was quite a good day,'' Mueller said.
