Andrej Kramaric’s excellent free-kick secured a point for Hoffenheim against Bayern Munich, who had taken the lead through Benjamin Pavard.
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 UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City in midweek, with further headlines made after the game when Sadio Mane allegedly punched team-mate Leroy Sane in the dressing room to lead. to a fine and suspension for the Senegalese international.
But there were no signs of disharmony in the early stages at the Allianz Arena as Benjamin Pavard put Bayern ahead with a simple finish.
Yet Andrej Kramaric’s 71st-minute free-kick restored parity and, with the Pavards disallowed for offside, Borussia Dortmund’s failure to beat Stuttgart gave the defending champions a two-point lead at the Bundesliga summit.
Bayern’s early dominance was rewarded in the 17th minute when Pavard controlled Kingsley Coman’s deflected shot and slotted past Oliver Baumann from eight yards.
The visitors looked comfortable after that, but the only chance they created before the break was Serge Ganbry’s powerful drive from outside the penalty area which flew past Baumann’s right-hand post.
Coman tested Baumann from distance shortly after the restart, while the Hoffenheim keeper tipped Joao Cancelo’s effort past the crossbar shortly after the hour mark.
Baumann’s excellence set the stage for Kramarič to steal a point for the visitors, the Croatia international’s 25-yard free-kick proving too accurate for Yann Sommer to keep out.
Pavard thought he had restored Bayern’s lead moments later but his finish at the back post was ruled out as Bayern’s indifferent start to life under Tuchel continued.
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