IN-FORM SIDE HOFFENHEIM HOLDS LEAGUE LEADERS BAYERN MUNICH TO A 1-1 DRAW IN THE BUNDESLIGA.
Bundesliga, Prezero Arena – Hoffenheim 1 (Baumgartner, 32) Bayern Munich 1 (Lewandowski, 45+3′)
Bayern Munich are held to a second Bundesliga draw in a row after playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Hoffenheim.
Christoph Baumgartner gave Hoffenheim the lead in a frenetic contest, but it was cancelled out by Robert Lewandowski’s header from a corner on the stroke of half-time.
The result means Bayern sit top of the Bundesliga table on 60 points; 10 clear of Borussia Dortmund who play Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday.
In an open and even start to the match where goalkeepers Oliver Baumann and Manuel Neuer were regularly called into action, it was the hosts who took a surprise lead just past the half hour mark.
David Raum’s cross from the left flank found Christoph Baumgartner at the far post and he slid in to put Die Kraichgauer in front.
Nicklas Sule forced Baumann into a fine reflex save in the 38th minute, while Thomas Muller saw a goal chalked off for offside for the second time in the match three minutes later, but Bayern did get a deserved equaliser for all their pressure in first half injury time.
Joshua Kimmich’s corner was swung towards the penalty spot where Lewandowski was to nod in his 29th Bundesliga goal of the season.
Bayern pressured hard in search of a winner in the second half. Baumann was forced into a fine diving stop to deny Leroy Sane in the 55th minute before the former Manchester City winger came extremely close again in the 67th minute, driving a low shot on goal from inside the box which crashed off the woodwork.
Muller was denied again five minutes later as his finish destined for the bottom corner was blocked on the line by Stefan Posch before Baumann collected the loose ball.
Bayern continued to pressure, substitute Eric-Maxim Choupo-Mouting nodded wide from close range late on, but Hoffenheim held on for a valuable point.
