MUNICH:
Bayern Munich dropped factors for the second straight week within the Bundesliga as they had been held to a 2-2 draw at Hamburg on Saturday.
Borussia Dortmund have an opportunity to revive a dormant title race with a win at residence to backside membership Heidenheim on Sunday, which might draw them to inside six factors.
Hamburg had misplaced 17 and drawn three of their previous 20 video games with Bayern however put up a combat, taking the lead with a Fabio Vieira penalty after 32 minutes.
The defending champions hit again when Harry Kane and Luis Diaz scored both aspect of half-time, however the hosts swiftly equalised by way of Luka Vuskovic.
Hamburg had an opportunity to win it late with Manuel Neuer effectively outdoors his field, however Alphonso Davies denied Vieira and saved Bayern with a desperation clearance.
An “dissatisfied” Neuer advised Sky: “the draw appears like a defeat. We needed extra in the present day, however once you look within the faces of our crew, it is a good signal for subsequent week that we need to assault once more.”
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl directed his ire on the match officers, saying: “the referee was a bit overwhelmed.”
It was the primary time Hamburg prevented defeat towards Bayern since 2014, a run of 9 straight defeats with 39 targets conceded.
Arsenal loanee Vieira tucked a penalty below Neuer’s outstretched hand to offer Hamburg the lead, their first purpose towards Bayern in seven matches courting again to 2016.
Kane introduced the guests degree simply earlier than the break, scoring on the spin from a rebound with a basic poacher’s end.
Half-time substitute Diaz gave Bayern the lead 90 seconds into the second interval, guiding a Michael Olise move in from shut vary.
The guests levelled minutes later although as Vuskovic headed a cross previous Neuer and simply contained in the submit, earlier than holding on to nab a worthwhile level.
Andrej Kramaric scored twice as Hoffenheim prolonged their robust run with a 3-1 residence win over Union Berlin.
Hoffenheim narrowly escaped relegation final season however have picked up 19 of a doable 21 factors of their previous seven video games to maneuver degree with second-placed Dortmund.
Hoffenheim play at Bayern subsequent Sunday and Kramaric advised Sky Germany: “We’re up for it — it will be an excellent take a look at. If we sustain the performances we have had prior to now few weeks, we can’t depart empty-handed.”
Union’s steely resistance was damaged when defender Leopold Querfeld clipped Hoffenheim’s Fisnik Asllani within the field after 42 minutes.
Kramaric transformed from the spot with a cool chipped end. The Croatia ahead headed in a second from a Bazoumana Toure cross simply earlier than half-time.
One other Toure cross enabled the hosts to seal victory simply after the break, as Union’s Diogo Leite scuffed the ball into his personal internet with Kramaric lurking.
Leverkusen ease previous Frankfurt
Bayer Leverkusen moved some extent behind fourth-placed Leipzig with a 3-1 win at free-falling Eintracht Frankfurt, with no coach till shock appointment Albert Riera takes over subsequent week.
“We’ll be ranging from zero,” Frankfurt’s Mario Goetze stated.
Arthur gave Leverkusen the lead, his first Bundesliga purpose, after a intelligent Alejandro Grimaldo backheel.
Malik Tillman made essentially the most of some poor positioning from Frankfurt goalkeeper Kaua Santos moments later to double the lead.
Frankfurt’s Robin Koch scored after half-time however Ellyes Skhiri picked up two yellow playing cards in three second-half minutes to sprint comeback hopes.
Frankfurt have gained simply considered one of their previous 13 video games in all competitions.
Elsewhere, RB Leipzig grew to become the most recent sufferer of resurgent Mainz, happening 2-1 at residence.
Conrad More durable put the hosts in entrance however Leipzig captain David Raum gave away a penalty for the second time in two video games, permitting Germany midfielder Nadiem Amiri to degree from the spot.
Silas gave Mainz the lead early within the second half. Mainz have misplaced simply as soon as in 9 video games since Urs Fischer took over as coach in December.
Elsewhere, Augsburg beat St Pauli 2-1 and Werder Bremen’s Keke Topp snatched some extent with a splendid late purpose at residence in a 1-1 draw with Borussia Moenchengladbach.
