European roundup: Bayern held at Hoffenheim, Juve keep up title push

Bayern Munich squandered a hosts of chances as they were held 1-1 at Hoffenheim on Saturday, their second Bundesliga draw in a row.

The leaders have now won just two of their last five league games but are still 10 points clear of Borussia Dortmund, who have two games in hand and play Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday.

Only four days after demolishing Salzburg 7-1 in their second leg to book a Champions League quarter-final spot, Bayern were far more wasteful here. It was the top-four chasing hosts who took the lead through Christoph Baumgartner’s volley at the far post in the 32nd minute.

Thomas Müller twice put the ball in the net for Bayern, only to be ruled offside, and his side had to wait until first half stoppage-time to bag the equaliser. Top scorer Robert Lewandowski headed in a Joshua Kimmich corner on the stroke of half-time for his 29th goal of the campaign and a record-equalling 17th away goal in a season.

Bayern had a third effort ruled out for offside, this time Lewandowski, as they pushed for another goal early in the second half. They kept up the pressure as Serge Gnabry hit the post and Jamal Musiala the side netting, before Müller’s shot was cleared off the line. Hoffenheim responded with late efforts from Andrej Kramaric and Jacob Bruun Larsen, but Manuel Neuer was on hand to preserve a point.

“In the end it is a bit disappointing not to go home with the three points,” said Neuer. “For the neutral fan it was a really nice game to watch. Luck was not always on our side with offside decisions when we did put the ball in the net.”Despite battling for a point, Hoffenheim slipped out of the top four with Freiburg taking their place following a 3-2 home win over Wolfsburg. Nico Schlotterbeck grabbed a late winner