by Dan Gaichas
Bayern Munich forced an own goal to equalize and were unlucky not to find a winner as they were held against a game Hoffenheim side, 1-1. Bayern still lead the Bundesliga by three points, but RB Leipzig could pull even on points with victory on Sunday against Mainz. Hoffenheim remain unbeaten and move to third in the table.
Hoffenheim took the lead on 16 minutes when Nadiem Amiri fed Kerem Demirbay who struck clinically into the upper 90 from just inside the penalty area. Bayern equalized in the 34th minute forcing an own goal after Douglas Costa’s cross was inadvertently put in by Steven Zuber.
Bayern had chances to get a winner in the second half. Thiago could not get on the end of a Robert Lewandowski back-heel with a majority of the net to shoot at. Mats Hummels struck the post in the 87th minute, followed by Thomas Müller in stoppage time as it ended up honors even at the Allianz.
“We struggled a little at the beginning and failed to shake off Hoffenheim’s pressing,” said Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti. “In the second half we played with more intensity, attitude and quality. A victory would have been deserved in view of the chances. But that’s football, sometimes you just don’t get the luck.”
The international break occurs next week. In two weeks, it’s Der Klassiker at the Signal Iduna Park against Borussia Dortmund at 11:30am CT on FOX.
