Unlucky Reds held by Leverkusen

FC Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw by Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. Munich started on the front foot, Niklas Süle rewarding them for their dominance, but Thomas Müller unfortunately put through his own goal before half-time. The Rhineland side were solid at the back after the restart, and further goals refused to come.

Bayern lined up with Sven Ulreich in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Süle and Omar Richards in defence. Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala featured in a twin holding role behind Kingsley Coman, Müller and Serge Gnabry, with Robert Lewandowski up front. Leroy Sané, Marcel Sabitzer, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Bouna Sarr took over from Richards, Müller, Gnabry and Coman in the second half.

Entertaining first half

After a minute's silence in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the 25,000 crowd at the Allianz Arena saw Bayern in the driving seat. Kimmich had an effort blocked before Adli fizzed a shot wide at the other end. Coman soon teed up Lewandowski, who spun but hit Müller. The latter dragged an effort wide, but Bayern were rewarded for their dominance when Süle capitalised on a mix-up in the box and beat keeper Hradecky.

Müller put an effort from distance over the bar and Gnabry miscued from a tight angle. The pendulum swung the other way now, Pavard blocking a Wirtz effort, but Leverkusen equalised when Müller tried to clear a free kick and unfortunately put through his own goal. Adli soon intercepted Upamecano's back pass and hit the post. Aranguiz drew a save from Ulreich, Adli seeing the rebound blocked. Gnabry hit the side netting, and match official Daniel Siebert blew for half-time.

Reds let down by final ball

The contest was evenly-balanced after the restart, Pavard blocking an Adli shot before Hradecky denied Musiala and Lewandowski. Wirtz put an effort off target before Sabitzer had only Hradecky to beat but saw his shot saved.

The match ebbed now, with Süle miscuing and Lewandowski directing a header wide. Leverkusen tried to run down the clock, whereas Munich failed to find the final ball. Ulreich denied Frimpong, and the game ended all square.

The result means Bayern have 59 points from 25 matches, nine ahead of Dortmund, whose match against Mainz has been postponed. The Bavarians will be back in action on Tuesday, when they entertain Salzburg in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.comby Greg Salmen