Bayern held by dogged Schalke
FC Bayern München dropped points at the Allianz Arena for the third time this season after being held to a 1-1 draw by FC Schalke 04 on Matchday 19.
FC Bayern München 1-1 FC Schalke 04
Goals: 1-0 Lewandowski (9'), 1-1 Naldo (13')
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Robert Lewandowski clipped in his 15th Bundesliga goal of the campaign to give Bayern the early lead after a fine piece of combination play involving Arturo Vidal and Arjen Robben, but Schalke levelled moments later thanks to a fierce Naldo free-kick. Former Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer thwarted Sead Kolasinac from point-blank range as the Royal Blues seized the initiative, before Leon Goretzka shot wide and Guido Burgstaller fired against the crossbar. A moment of brilliance almost restored Bayern's advantage late in a pulsating first half, but Lewandowski's deft attempt came back off the upright.
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After Burgstaller had a goal ruled out for offside early in the second half, Schalke succeeded in keeping Bayern very much at arm's length. Carlo Ancelotti responded by introducing fresh legs in the form of Kingsley Coman, David Alaba and Philipp Lahm - the latter making his 500th appearance for the club - but Schalke gave very little away until late on when Javier Martinez shot wide with the visiting goal at his mercy.
Man of the match
Burgstaller led the line superbly well for Schalke. A genuine handful for the Bayern back line, the Austria international won the free-kick from which Naldo equalised and was desperately unlucky not to score himself.
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Talking point
Bayern stay top, but their lead at the summit could be cut to one point if RB Leipzig can get the better of Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening.
Match stats
- Xabi Alonso made his 100th competitive appearance for Bayern.Lewandowski has scored four times in his last three meetings with Schalke.Bayern loanee Holger Badstuber lined up against his parent and boyhood club for the first time in his career.
Line-ups
Bayern: Neuer (c) - Rafinha (Lahm 77'), Martinez, Hummels, Bernat (Alaba 77') - Alonso, Vidal - Robben (Coman 71'), Müller, Costa - Lewandowski
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Schalke: Fährmann - Höwedes (c), Naldo, Badstuber (Nastasic 58') - Stambouli, Caligiuri, Bentaleb, Goretzka (Kehrer 87'), Kolasinac - Schöpf, Burgstaller (Choupo-Moting 73')
Coach: Markus Weinzierl
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