BAVARIANS STALL

Bayern draw for second game in a row at Hoffenheim

Bayern are top on 60 points from 26 matches, with second-placed Borussia Dortmund, on 50 from 24

In Summary

•Bayern's Thomas Mueller twice put the ball in the net only to be ruled offside and his side had to wait until first-half stoppage time to bag the equaliser.

•Bayern had a third effort ruled out for offside, this time Lewandowski, as they pushed for another goal early in the second half.

Hoffenheim's David Raum in action with Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry
Hoffenheim's David Raum in action with Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry
Image: REUTERS

 Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich squandered a bagful of chances and hit the post as they were held 1-1 at Hoffenheim on Saturday, their second league draw in a row.

The Bavarians, chasing a record-extending 10th consecutive league crown, had drawn with Bayer Leverkusen last week and have won two of their last five league matches.

Bayern are top on 60 points from 26 matches, with second-placed Borussia Dortmund, on 50 from 24. 

"In the end, it is a bit disappointing not to go home with the three points," said Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer. "For the neutral fan sitting on the coach it was a really nice game to watch.

"Luck was not always on our side with offside decisions when we did put the ball in the net."

Only four days after demolishing Salzburg 7-1 to book a Champions League quarter-final spot, Bayern were far more wasteful with their chances and it was the hosts who took the lead with Christoph Baumgartner's volley at the far post in the 32nd minute.

Bayern's Thomas Mueller twice put the ball in the net only to be ruled offside and his side had to wait until first-half stoppage time to bag the equaliser.

Top scorer Robert Lewandowski headed in a Joshua Kimmich corner on the stroke of halftime for his 29th goal of the campaign and a record-equalling 17th away goal in a season.

Bayern had a third effort ruled out for offside, this time Lewandowski, as they pushed for another goal early in the second half.

They kept up the pressure but Serge Gnabry hit the post and Jamal Musiala the side netting after they pounced on consecutive defensive errors by the hosts.

Another massive chance was wasted with Mueller's shot cleared off the line in the 73rd minute as Hoffenheim desperately tried to hang on for a point.

Hoffenheim responded with two consecutive efforts from Andrej Kramaric which Neuer did well to save and Jacob Bruun Larsen's last gasp point-blank header.

The result was bad news for Hoffenheim, who tumbled out of the top four, with Freiburg moving into fourth on goal difference following a 3-2 win over VfL Wolfsburg.