Resilient Reds retain top spot

FC Bayern were held to a 3-3 draw by RB Leipzig on Saturday evening. Christopher Nkunku put the away side in front, Jamal Musiala levelling the scores and Thomas Müller handing Bayern the lead, but Justin Kluivert's equaliser followed almost immediately. Emil Forsberg and Müller traded goals in the second half of a top clash that more than lived up to its billing.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Niklas Süle, Jérôme Boateng and David Alaba in a back four. Leon Goretzka and Javi Martínez anchored a midfield featuring Leroy Sané, Müller and Kingsley Coman, with Robert Lewandowski up front. Martínez had to be subbed off with injury midway through the first half, Musiala taking over. Serge Gnabry came on for Sané after the hour mark, Chris Richards and Douglas Costa replacing Boateng and Coman in the closing stages.

Scorching first half

The first half was an entertaining, high-octane encounter between two contrasting sides, with Bayern dominating possession and Leipzig dangerous on the break. Marcel Sabitzer hit the bar, Coman firing into the side-netting before the Frenchman drew a save from keeper Peter Gulácsi. The visitors took the lead when Nkunku latched onto a Forsberg pass, rounded Neuer and slotted home.

Pavard saw a sumptuous effort from distance saved, but sub Musiala levelled the scores from 20 yards. Müller put Bayern in front when Coman's brilliantly perceptive through-ball invited the Bavarian to slot home, but RB equalised almost immediately, Amadou Haidara's pass finding Kluivert, who beat Neuer.

Müller equals

The second half began with a setback, Angeliño's cross finding the unmarked Forsberg, who headed past Neuer. Bayern went looking for a reply but ran up in vain against Leipzig's solid defence at first. Musiala saw a shot blocked and soon whipped in a cross which evaded the lurking Sané.

Bayern levelled the scores again with 15 minutes to go, a Coman cross finding Müller, who headed in. Musiala tested Gulácsi before Gnabry saw a shot blocked, but another goal refused to come, and match official Daniel Siebert blew for full-time.

The result means the German record champions have 23 points from ten matches, two clear of Leipzig. Bayern will be back in action on Wednesday, when they entertain Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen