Bayern alone on top after Dortmund drop points in derby
BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund led twice but were held 2-2 by bitter local rivals Schalke to lose ground on Bayern Munich who earlier won 5-3 against Augsburg and ended Saturday two points clear atop the Bundesliga.
Kenan Karaman scored Schalke’s second equalizer with 10 minutes left to frustrate visiting Dortmund’s hopes of keeping pace in the title race.
With many attacking stars missing including captain Marco Reus, it took defender Nico Schlotterbeck to put Dortmund ahead, hammering in a low drive from outside the box.
Schalke equalized five minutes into the second half through Marius Buelter, who latched onto a pinpoint cross from winger Rodrigo Zalazar.
Dortmund retook the lead after 60 minutes, when a defense-splitting pass from Emre Can found Rafael Guerreiro who slammed home.
With 10 minutes remaining, Schalke pegged Dortmund back once more when an unmarked Karaman headed past goalkeeper Alex Meyer.
Schalke sat deep in the dying stages, frustrating Dortmund’s attempts to find a winner and held on for a draw which will be celebrated like a win by fans whose team sits in the relegation zone.
Schlotterbeck said the result was “too little” for Dortmund’s ambitions this season, while manager Edin Terzic said his side “gave away victory” by losing control.
“The game got wild, just like how Schalke wanted it to be.”
A “satisfied” Schalke manager Thomas Reis credited his team’s fight, saying “when you come back like that, you need to enjoy it.”
Earlier on Saturday, two goals from Benjamin Pavard and a first in Bayern colors for Joao Cancelo helped the leaders romp to a 5-3 home victory over Augsburg.
Bayern midfielder Jamal Musiala said his side “were getting back into the swing of things” but was disappointed