Bayern held in Leipzig

FC Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw by RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga restart on Friday night. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting put Bayern ahead late in the first half but Marcel Halstenberg's equaliser after half-time meant the heavyweight encounter ended in a stalemate.

The Bavarians started with new signing Yann Sommer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich anchored a midfield featuring Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry, with Choupo-Moting up front. Kingsley Coman, Thomas Müller and Mathys Tel came on for Musiala, Gnabry and Choupo-Moting in the closing stages.

Choupo opens

After a minute's silence in memory of Pelé, the 47,000 full house in Leipzig saw an entertaining first half between two evenly-matched sides. Apart from a deflected Gnabry effort that crashed off the post, chances were at a premium in the first 30 minutes, despite aggressive pressing by both sides. Bayern enjoyed more of the ball but the hosts were solid at the back.

Dani Olmo fired wide before Bayern had the ball in the back of the net when Goretzka met a Pavard cross - flicked on by Choupo-Moting - with a diving header, but the goal was ruled out for an offside in the build-up. Munich did take the lead when Gnabry's forensic cross found Choupo-Moting, who tapped in from close range not long before the break.

Second-half setback

Leipzig enjoyed a spell in command after the restart and levelled the scores when Dominik Szoboszlai met an Andre Silva cross with a header, inviting Halstenberg to turn in. The contest was long on aggression but short on chances again, and Sommer saved a deflected Olmo effort before Davies fired one wide.

Bayern poured forward in search of a late winner but failed to find a way through Leipzig's strong rearguard. A Coman cross evaded friend and foe alike and de Ligt saw a header saved before Müller drilled wide.

The result means Bayern have 35 points from 16 matches, five clear of Freiburg, who take on Wolfsburg on Saturday. Bayern will be back in action on Tuesday when they entertain Köln in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen