Bayern Munich missed the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to eight points as they were held to an entertaining draw by Borussia Dortmund in a high-tempo encounter.
Despite dominating the opening 45 minutes, Bayern failed to capitalise and were punished shortly after the break. Maximilian Beier gave the visitors the lead with their first shot on target, evading his marker and heading the ball through the legs of Jonas Urbig.
Dortmund rode their luck soon after when centre-back Waldemar Anton inadvertently deflected a cross onto the underside of his own crossbar. But the momentum shifted when Serge Gnabry was introduced, with the substitute making an immediate impact.
Gnabry’s direct running helped carve out the equaliser, as Raphael Guerreiro scored against his former club. Just four minutes later, Gnabry completed the turnaround himself, cutting inside effortlessly before bending a low shot past Gregor Kobel.
However, Dortmund responded and salvaged a point. Serhou Guirassy’s acrobatic effort was parried into the path of Anton, who made no mistake from close range to level the match at 2-2.
Despite dropping points, Vincent Kompany’s Bayern side remain six points clear at the summit with five games remaining, as nearest challengers Bayer Leverkusen were also held to a draw at home by Union Berlin earlier in the day.
Both Bayern and Dortmund had suffered defeats in their respective Champions League quarter-final first legs in midweek. Bayern had the advantage of playing at home on Tuesday, while Dortmund endured a taxing trip to Barcelona the following night.
That disparity in preparation was evident early on, with Bayern showing greater intensity. Harry Kane saw two efforts denied by Kobel during a dominant first half for the hosts.
Dortmund’s opener capitalised on a lapse in concentration from Kim Min-jae, but it appeared that Gnabry’s spark would be enough to swing the result Bayern’s way.
Chances to snatch all three points fell to both sides in the closing stages. Pascal Gross came close with a lofted attempt for Niko Kova?’s side, while Michael Olise missed a golden opportunity, side-footing wide under little pressure.
Dortmund now face a daunting task as they prepare to overturn a 4-0 deficit against Barcelona in Tuesday’s Champions League second leg, while Bayern travel to Italy on Wednesday to face Inter Milan, ...
