MUNICH: Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen played out a 1-1 draw in a heavyweight Bundesliga clash on Saturday at the Allianz Arena where a long-range strike from Robert Andrich for the visitors was cancelled out by another from Aleksandar Pavlovic.

The result leaves Bayern with 13 points after five games — two points clear of RB Leipzig at the top of the standings — while Leverkusen are third with 10 points.

Bayern finished the game with 18 shots compared to three for Leverkusen but in the end Xabi Alonso’s determined side saw out the game to take home a point.

Such was their staunch defence that Bundesliga top scorer Harry Kane failed to have a single shot as a starter in a league game for the first time in three years, but Vincent Kompany will be more worried about the striker’s injury after a knock.

In a statement, Bayern said Kane “suffered a painful blow to his ankle”, but added “examinations by (the club’s) medical department on Sunday showed a positive development. “Kane will continue to receive intensive treatment.”

Bayern dominated possession in the opening stages, with Jamal Musiala regularly finding gaps in the defence to create opportunities while Leverkusen did not get a single chance to test Manuel Neuer in the first half-hour.

But with their first chance in the 31st minute, Granit Xhaka controlled a corner kick with his chest and set up Andrich outside the box, with the German’s sweeping low shot drilled through a crowd of players into the bottom corner.

“We deserved more because we were clearly the better team,” Neuer told Sky Germany. “We had the better chances. The goal we conceded was very annoying.”

Their lead did not last long, however, when a poor clearance fell to Pavlovic and the midfielder pulled the trigger from 25 metres with a half-volley that brushed the fingertips of goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky as it sailed into the top corner.

“We can live with a point, better than Bayern. Defensive work was our top priority today. On a good day, Lukas saves Alex’s shot,” Andrich said.

But it was redemption for Pavlovic as it was his misplaced pass that led to the Leverkusen corner from which they scored the opener.

“I’m happy with the performance, we dominated them and barely conceded any chances. I was very happy and emotional after my goal,” he said.

Serge Gnabry had two golden opportunities to make it 2-1 early in the second half when the unmarked winger received a cross from Kane, but his first shot came off the far post while his second shaved the crossbar as he sank to his knees and the two teams shared the spoils.

Earlier, Benjamin Sesko scored twice in five minutes as RB Leipzig’s young attack combined superbly to beat Augsburg 4-0 at home.

Sesko struck twice and laid on an assist for fellow 21-year-old Xavi Simons, who himself assisted a goal for 24-year-old Lois Openda.

Augsburg’s best chance of the game came when they had a penalty saved midway through the first half.

Leipzig coach Marco Rose credited his team’s “belief in ourselves”, saying “we were anything but happy” after a three-game winless run.

Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up Stuttgart came back to earth after Sunday’s 5-1 demolition of Borussia Dortmund, needing a stoppage-time Deniz Undav goal to snatch a 2-2 draw at VfL Wolfsburg.

Jonas Wind put the Wolves in front 10 minutes in but the visitors equalised late in the first half, Enzo Millot tapping in a rebound after his penalty was saved.

Stuttgart were on the wrong end of a tough call midway through the second half, Atakan Karazor sent from the park for a second yellow despite looking the victim of a foul.

Wolfsburg hit the lead five minutes later through Mohammed Amoura, who escaped a send off through a VAR review. Undav’s late strike saved his side from a tough defeat.

Elsewhere, St Pauli won their first top-division match since February 2011 with a 3-0 victory at a wasteful and unlucky Freiburg while Borussia Moench­engladbacha recorded a home 1-0 win over Union Berlin, ending the latter’s unbeaten league record.

Heidenheim won 2-0 at 10-man Mainz.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2024