Vuskovic header rescues Hamburg against Bayern
Baku, February 1, AZERTAC
Luka Vuskovic headed Hamburg level after the break to deny Bayern Munich victory in a 2-2 draw at the Volksparkstadion, handing the leader a second straight winless league outing on Saturday, according to Xinhua.
Hamburg entered the contest under pressure, winless in five Bundesliga matches and stuck in the relegation play-off place, despite collecting most of its points at home since returning to the top flight. Bayern, meanwhile, arrived seeking an immediate response to a rare league defeat, still eight points clear at the summit but wary of further slips.
The hosts began assertively with Vuskovic glancing an early corner just wide, before Bayern gradually imposed themselves. Michael Olise tested Daniel Heuer Fernandes and Joshua Kimmich thundered a long-range effort against the crossbar as the visitors tightened their grip.
Against the run of play, Hamburg went ahead when Kimmich fouled Nicolai Remberg in the area and Fabio Vieira calmly converted the resulting penalty in the 34th minute. Bayern replied before the break, a sweeping move ending with Harry Kane finishing from close range after a loose touch from Kimmich.
Vincent Kompany turned to his bench at half-time and was rewarded instantly as Luis Diaz struck seconds into the second half to put Bayern in front. Hamburg refused to fold and restored parity in the 53rd minute as William Mikelbrencis supplied the cross for Vuskovic to power a header beyond Manuel Neuer.
The closing stages grew increasingly physical, with seven yellow cards shown after the interval and chances at both ends. Rayan Philippe went close for the hosts before Alphonso Davies cleared off the line, while Bayern pressed late without finding a winner.
The draw leaves Bayern still eight points clear at the top for now, while Hamburg remains in the relegation play-off spot with renewed belief.
"We gave away too many chances. We wanted to win here, and that is what frustrates me. Right now, our mistakes are being punished," said Bayern sporting director Max Eberl.
Elsewhere, third-placed TSG Hoffenheim maintained its perfect start to the year with a fifth straight win, overcoming Union Berlin 3-1 as Andrej Kramaric struck twice. Relegation-threatened Mainz 05 shocked fourth-placed RB Leipzig 2-1 thanks to a late Silas winner. Bayer Leverkusen beat struggling Eintracht Frankfurt, extending its opponent's winless run to eight games. Augsburg edged St Pauli 2-1, while Werder Bremen and Borussia Monchengladbach drew 1-1. Already on Friday, Wolfsburg suffered its second straight defeat, falling 1-0 to Cologne.
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