The 203rd Munich derby ended all-square after Bayern dominated for long spells but needlessly conceded an equaliser to their second division rivals.
Lions shot-stopper Michael Hofmann was the busier of the keepers with two decent saves from Mark van Bommel in an otherwise muted first half, but Bayern’s first-ever goal at the Allianz Arena against their bitter rivals finally arrived eight minutes after the restart when Blues defender Torben Hoffmann put through his own goal under pressure from half-time sub Luca Toni.
The 66,000 present might have expected the star-studded Reds to coast after that, but an 1860 line-up by now largely comprising young reserves stuck doggedly to their task and conjured up a shock Michael Duhnke equaliser 15 minutes from time.
Starts for Sosa and Schlaudraff
Ottmar Hizfeld’s starting line-up had a first-choice feel to it, with Willy Sagnol back in his customary right-back berth, and Jose Sosa getting the nod on the right of midfield. The one exception was the absence of Toni, as in-form Jan Schlaudraff was offered another chance alongside Miro Klose.
Bayern opened much the better of the sides, Ze Roberto and Van Bommel providing a solid platform in front of the back four to launch dangerous raids down the flanks via Sagnol and Sosa. The Argentine schemer loosed off the first shot of the match after quarter of an hour, before keeper Hofmann excelled to keep out Van Bommel’s spectacular diving header with 20 minutes played.
Unlucky Van Bommel
However, the Bundesliga leaders increasingly struggled to make headway against the Blues defence, expertly marshalled by USA stalwart Gregg Berhalter, and the sides neutralised each other for a long spell.
The Reds rallied towards the end of the first half, but Ze Roberto was called back for offside when poised to score, and Hofmann gathered Van Bommel’s drive at the second attempt after a slick interchange between Ribery and Ze Roberto.
Half-time reshuffle
As flagged before the match, Hitzfeld made a raft of changes at the break, with Toni, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Hamit Altintop, Christian Lell and Andreas Ottl replacing Klose, Van Bommel, Ribery, Sosa, Sagnol and Ze respectively. Lions boss Marco Kurz went even further with a total of eleven changes at half-time and in the course of the second period.
The new-look Reds line-up initially lacked fluency, but when it came on 53 minutes, the breakthrough was simplicity itself, Toni pressurising his marker Hoffmann to deflect Kroos’ arrowed free-kick past his own keeper. Lucio, Kroos and Toni all tested reserve shot-stopper Philipp Tschauner after that, but the Blues’ young guns put up stiff resistance and netted a shock equaliser on 75 minutes when Duhnke stole in ahead of Martin Demichelis to nod José Holebas’ cross past Oliver Kahn.
No late joy
Tschauner now excelled to keep out Altintop’s 10-yard drive, before Schlaudraff slid an effort inches wide of the far post. The 1860 custodian then pulled out brilliant reaction saves to deny late sub Breno and Toni in a frantic finish, but there was to be no last-gasp winner for the Bundesliga leaders who left the field with disappointment etched on their features.
Live match report for fcbayern.de by Chris Hamley
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