Bayern Munich end their seven game winning run in Bundesliga as they were held by FC Schalke at Allianz Arena.
The Bavarians were still able to increase their lead at the top of the table by a point as RB Leipzig suffered a defeat against Borussia Dortmund. An early goal from Bayern Munich wascancelled out quickly by Schalke to share the points at Allianz Arena.
Carlo Ancelotti made few surprising changes to the team specially in the back four. Juan Berant and Rafinha came in the side replacing David Alaba and Philipp Lahm. Arturo Vidal started the game after recovering from the injury he suffered against Freiburg. Thiago Alcantara remained an unused substitute after recovering from an injury.
Bayern started the game in the best possible way. The Bavarians rewarded their initial domination with a well worked goal. After some neat work in tight situation around the box, Arjen Robben found the pass for Vidal. The Chilean midfielder then fed the ball to Robert Lewandowski who chipped the ball over goalkeeper. This was Lewandowski’s 15th goal in Bundesliga this season.
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Schalke responded well after going a goal down. The visitors equalized quick;ly in the space of four minutes. Schalke converted the freekick they got around the box as Naldo blasted the ball past Manuel Neuer. Vidal got a chance soon after the equaliser to restore the lead for Bayern as he missed a free header after a perfect corner delivered by Robben.
Robben was the focus of every chance Bayern were creating. The Dutchamn fed Bernat by switching the flank only for the leftback to shoot straight at the goalkeeper. Schalke looked dangerous on counter while Bayern started creating chances by dominating the possession.
The visitors hit the post after some lovely play by Nabil Bentaleb and Sead Kolasinac. Kolasinac squared the ball for Guido Burgstaller who rattled the woodwork. Bayern came close to gaining a lead before the half time as Lewandowski hit the crossbar with a curling effort inside the box. It was an eventful ending to an intense half.
However the second half of the game was not as eventful as the first one. Schalke looked dangerouns on the break. Bayern’s winger were the best players on the pitch for the Bavarians. Robben was the creative force in the first half while Costa increased the tempo in the second half. The Brazilian played a lovely ball across the goal only for Lewandowski to not read it well.
Javi Martinez got a very good chance in the final ten minutes of the game to win the game for the home side. The Spaniard was unmarked in the box and Alaba produced an inch perfect cross for Martinez. However the defender fluffed the chance as he went to find the bottom corner.
Schalke were resilient in the defence and deserved a point from the game. However Bayern were poor with their chance conversions in clutch moments. Ancelotti will be hoping that Bayern get rids of rusty performances ahead of crucial Champions League tie against Arsenal on 15th February.