Hertha Berlin fight back to deny Bayern Munich on Sagnol's debut

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Bayern Munich interim coach Willy Sagnol saw his side surrender a two-goal lead as Hertha Berlin came back to draw 2-2 with the champions on Sunday afternoon.

Hertha Berlin 2-2 Bayern Munich

Goals: 0-1 Hummels (10'), 0-2 Lewandowski (49'), 1-2 Duda (51'), 2-2 Kalou (56')

As is so often the case when a team changes coach, Bayern looked energised from the start in the capital. With Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben restored to the starting line-up, the Bavarians moved the ball around with a zip and tempo that Hertha struggled to keep up with initially, so much so that Mats Hummels’ opener – an accurate glancing header – was more than merited for the visitors.

Hertha gradually got to grips with the game, however, and they looked dangerous on the break. Vladimir Darida forced a fine save from Sven Ulreich, while the Czech player was denied a penalty, originally given by the referee, after the intervention of video assist.

Man of the match

After the hosts began the second period strongly, Bayern stretched their advantage when Robert Lewandowski held off Niklas Stark to coolly finish in the near post, but Hertha's response was excellent. Ondrej Duda halved the deficit with a tap-in after a brilliant weaving run by Genki Haraguchi, and parity was restored when Salomon Kalou netted from close range. The pendulum had swung almost completely and Bayern's attack looked markedly blunter after Robben was withdrawn and Ribery, making a landmark league appearance, had to come off with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

Kingsley Coman attempted to inject some impetus back into their play, but Hertha stood firm and retained a threat through the industrious Kalou and Mathew Leckie. Chances became more scarce as the minutes ticked down, and Pal Dardai's charges were more than good value for a point, while Bayern will rue surrendering a two-goal lead and losing Ribery to injury.

Kalou was full of running all afternoon, breaking dangerously on a number of occasions and capping a fine display with a deserved goal.

Line-ups

Hertha: Jarstein - Weiser, Stark, Rekik, Plattenhardt – Skjelbred (c), Darida (Lustenberger 80') - Leckie, Duda (Lazaro 75'), Haraguchi (Esswein 86') - Kalou
Coach: Pal Dardai

Bayern: Ulreich – Kimmich, Boateng (Süle 79'), Hummels, Alaba – Tolisso, Martinez – Robben (Thiago 59') - Müller (c), Ribery (Coman 62') - Lewandowski
Coach: Willy Sagnol

Watch: Hear what Salomon Kalou made of the result

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