Leipzig, January 21 (BNA): Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich advanced but were forced to draw 1-1 with RB Leipzig after a toothless second half, as the league resumed after a two-month break.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting put the visitors ahead in the 38th minute after a solid first half but Leipzig equalized with Marcel Halstenberg seven minutes into the second half, Reuters reports.
Bayern, who missed many players due to injury, including goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Sadio Mane and Lucas Hernandez, occupies the lead with 35 points, while Leipzig ranks third with 29 points. Second-placed Friborg, 30, travels to Wolfsburg on Saturday.
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann said, “Leipzig performed well and both teams were a little excited today.” “We can improve on certain things. We missed good chances, so the point at the end was fair.”
Despite the absences, Bayern Munich, who are looking for an 11th consecutive league title, still fielded 11 starts consisting entirely of World Cup participants.
With Swiss international Jan Sommer in goal, after the goalkeeper was signed on Thursday from Borussia Mönchengladbach to replace the injured Neuer, they got off to a solid start with Serge Gnabry hitting the post in the eighth minute.
Then Leon Goretzka put the ball home in the 31st minute but with his attempt ruled out for being offside, Bayern increased the pressure.
It paid off in the 38th minute when Gnabry sent in a perfect cross into the penalty area and Cameroonian striker Choupo Moting beat his marker to score at the far post.
Leipzig, who had not lost a league match since September, struggled in the first half but scored seven minutes after the break with Halstenberg also trying at the far post.
“We felt like there was more to this for us,” Halstenberg said. “Bayern made several mistakes today. But we are satisfied with the point. We want to keep pressing the gas,” he said.
Bayern, who will face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16 next month, settled for a point after a lackluster performance in the second half, as it made its first attempt at the goal in the 87th minute.