Bayern held 3-3 at home by Düsseldorf

FC Bayern were held to a 3-3 draw by Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday afternoon. Niklas Süle and Thomas Müller handed Bayern a two-goal lead early in the match, Dodi Lukebakio pulling one back before half-time. Müller rounded off his brace before the hour mark, but Lukebakio scored twice in the closing stages to level the scores. The result means Bayern have 21 points from 12 matches and lie fifth in the table.

The German record champions started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Joshua Kimmich, Süle, Jérôme Boateng and David Alaba in a back four. Javi Martínez filled the holding role behind Müller, Renato Sanches, Leon Goretzka and Franck Ribéry, with Robert Lewandowski as sole striker. Arjen Robben, Rafinha and Mats Hummels came on for Ribéry, Sanches and Müller late in the second half.

Centre-backs in the thick of the action

The 75,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena saw the Bavarians struggle against the visitors' early pressing at first. Fortuna were bold, Lukebakio and Takashi Usami calling Neuer into action. Bayern slowly but surely asserted their authority, although many of their moves were spoiled by stray passing. Boateng found himself confronted by space rather than opponents and unleashed a belter from 25 yards that went just wide of the post, before Bayern took the lead when Süle capitalised on a mix-up in the box following a corner.

Kovac' troops soon doubled their lead when their individual quality shone through. Boateng's pinpoint 40-yarder found Müller, who excelled with a fine first touch and slotted past former FCB netminder Michael Rensing. It was one-way traffic for a spell, but Lewandowski saw an effort blocked before miscuing from 15 yards. The hosts eased off a little now, and just as it looked as if Bayern's cruise control would result in a comfortable two-goal lead at half-time there was a surprising setback. Jean Zimmer saw a scissor-kick blocked but got hold of the ball again, inviting Lukebakio to beat Neuer from point-blank range.

Late setback

Bayern went straight back onto the front foot after the restart. Ribéry saw an effort go wide before Müller restored the two-goal lead, Lewandowski inviting him to smash home from the edge of the box. The Poland international miscued a shot before the minnows upped the pressure, Oliver Fink glancing a header just wide, with a cross just evading Robin Bormuth on the edge of the six-yard box. Düsseldorf pulled one back when Lukebakio beat Bayern's rearguard to a through-ball and slotted past Neuer. The linesman had his flag up for offside, but a VAR intervention meant the goal stood.

Bayern tried to close out the meeting, but Lewandowski missed a header, and an Alaba centre across the face of goal evaded friend and foe alike. The day turned sour when Lukebakio raced clear once again and fired past Neuer in injury time.

Kovac' troops will be back in action in just three days, when they entertain Benfica in the Champions League before travelling to face Werder Bremen next Saturday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen