MY ACCOUNT
Bayern Munich’s eventful week took another turn on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 Bundesliga draw at home by lowly Hoffenheim.
Thomas Tuchel’s side suffered a 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester City in midweek, with more headlines made after the match when Sadio Mane allegedly punched team-mate Leroy Sane in the dressing room, leading to a fine and suspension for the Senegal international.
There were no signs of disharmony in the early stages at the Allianz Arena, though, as Benjamin Pavard put Bayern ahead with a simple finish.
Yet Andrej Kramaric’s 71st-minute free-kick restored parity and, with Pavard having a would-be-winner disallowed for offside, Borussia Dortmund’s failure to beat Stuttgart ensured the defending champions retained a two-point lead at the Bundesliga summit.
Bayern’s early dominance was rewarded in the 17th minute when Pavard controlled Kingsley Coman’s skewed shot and poked past Oliver Baumann from eight yards.
The hosts continued to look comfortable after that, yet the only chance of note they created before the interval was Serge Ganbry’s powerful drive from outside the penalty area that fizzed past Baumann’s right-hand post.
Coman tested Baumann from distance soon after the restart, while the Hoffenheim goalkeeper tipped Joao Cancelo’s strike around the upright shortly after the hour mark.
Baumann’s excellence set the stage for Kramaric to steal a point for the visitors, the Croatia international’s 25-yard free-kick proving too precise for Yann Sommer to keep out.
Pavard thought he had restored Bayern’s lead moments later, yet his back-post finish was ruled out, as Bayern’s indifferent start to life under Tuchel continued.
What does it mean? Bayern let off the hook… just about
Bayern can consider themselves extremely lucky that title rivals Dortmund did not capitalise on their slip up.
Edin Terzic’s side looked to have claimed all three points at Stuttgart when Giovanni Reyna struck late on, yet Silas’ goal seven minutes into added time secured a 3-3 draw for the hosts.
That means there is no change at the top, with Bayern holding a slender two-point advantage ahead of the final six games of the season.
Pavard proves his worth
Pavard was excellent at both ends. The France international took his goal well and did not neglect his defensive duties, making two tackles and four clearances – totals not bettered by any of his team-mates.
Gnabry wide of the mark
Bayern would have been four points clear at the Bundesliga summit had Gnabry been more clinical in front of goal. The Germany international had seven shots – a game-high – but could not find a way past Baumann.
What’s next?
Bayern face the daunting prospect of overturning that three-goal deficit against City at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
