Reds held by battling Bremen

FC Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw by Werder Bremen on Saturday afternoon. Maximilian Eggestein handed the visitors the lead at the end of an evenly-balanced first half. Bayern were dominant after the restart, Kingsley Coman levelling the scores, but the champions' attacks were largely uninspired, and another goal refused to come.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Lucas Hernández in a back four. Javi Martínez anchored a midfield featuring Coman, Thomas Müller, Jamal Musiala and Douglas Costa, with Robert Lewandowski up front. Hernández had to be subbed off with injury after a quarter-hour, Goretzka coming on. Serge Gnabry, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Leroy Sané took over from Coman, Musiala and Costa after the hour mark.

Caught cold before half-time

Bayern went onto the front foot in an evenly-matched first half, Marco Friedl beating Lewandowksi to a Costa cross before Müller miscued a header and Coman fired just wide. Munich soon had Neuer to thank for keeping the scores level, the keeper denying Josh Sargent before saving Ludwig Augustionsson's rebound. Leonardo Bittencourt hit the side-netting, Musiala seeing an effort blocked at the other end.

Bayern upped the pressure now but struggled to find a way through Werder's packed defence, Musiala seeing a shot deflected wide. Just when it looked as if Bayern had taken control, they were caught cold after a throw-in, Sargent's centre inviting Eggestein to score the opener shortly before the interval.

Coman equals

Milot Rashica saw a shot blocked by Boateng, but Bayern went looking for an equaliser, Costa hitting the crossbar and Coman seeing an effort saved. Lewandowski fired wide, but a goal was coming and arrived when a Goretzka cross found Coman, who headed home.

Gnabry fired wide and Lewandowski headed over, Goretzka making a crucial block against Sargent. Choupo-Moting turned a Sané centre over the bar, Neuer denying Sargent at the other end, and match official Guido Winkmann blew for full-time

The result means the German record champions have 19 points from eight matches, three clear of Leipzig, who take on Frankfurt later on Saturday. Bayern will be back in action on Wednesday, when they entertain Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen