Bayern Munich held by Werder Bremen at Allianz Arena

Bayern Munich drops two points against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich drop points for the second time this season as Werder Bremen hold them for a 1-1 draw at Allianz Arena. Kingsley Coman scored the equalizer in the second half after Maximilian Eggestein had opened the scoring for Bremen in the first half.

Hansi Flick was forced to make wholesale changes to the lineup that started in Der Klassiker two weeks ago. Javi Martinez started as a lone midfielder, while Jamal Musiala got his maiden Bundesliga start. Douglas Costa started on the flank instead of Serge Gnabry, while Benjamin Pavard returned to the lineup after missing the trip to Dortmund due to injury. Tanguy Nianzou was included in the matchday squad for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, Florian Kohfeldt also made numerous changes to the team that was held by FC Koln two weeks ago. Christian Gross replaced Niklas Moisander in the defense, while Ludwig Augustinsson replaced Jean-Manuel Mbom in the left wingback position. Kevin Mohwald got the nod in the central midfield.

Bayern started brightly as players bombed into the box to create chances early in the game. Costa was delivering dangerous crosses in the first ten minutes of the game, but the pace of the cross was making it difficult for other forwards to get at the end of it.

The injury to Hernandez halted Die Roten’s momentum and Werder Bremen started getting more involved in the game. Joshua Sargent had a golden chance to score, but Manuel Neuer made a terrific double save to keep the scoreline intact. The game was fluctuating from end to end as both teams were trying to capitalize on the counter.

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Musiala came close late in the first half, but his shot was brilliantly blocked by Marco Friedl. It looked like both sides will go into the half without scoring, but Bremen managed to come up with a clever bit of play to get the lead. Sargent got the better of Martinez and then squared it to Eggestien. The German midfielder placed his shot beyond Neuer’s reach.

Flick’s men responded strongly after half-time as Costa rattled the crossbar from 25 yards. The hosts were flooding the box and creating multiple half chances. The perseverance of Die Roten eventually paid off as Coman headed from close range after a pin-point cross was whipped in by Goretzka from the right flank.

The German Champions kept on retaining the ball for the next 20 minutes, but Bremen maintained a compact shape to reduce space in the final third for hosts. Lewandowski and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had good chances in the final ten minutes of the game.

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Meanwhile, Bremen looked threatening on the break. Sargent had two golden chances to get the winner for the visitors, but his effort was saved brilliantly by Neuer on one occasion while Goretzka made a last-ditch block to stop him.

Die Roten looked rusty in the final third, while Bremen executed their gameplan perfectly. A draw was a fair result for both sides. It does look like a blip for the defending champions. They remain at the top of the table. Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig have a chance to cut their lead short by winning this weekend after a rare poor day in the office for Bayern.

"Bayern Munich (4-1-4-1)NeuerPavard-Boateng-Alaba-HernandezMartinezComan-Muller-Musiala-CostaLewandowskiSubstitutes- Nubel, Gnabry (↓Coman (63′)), Sane (↓Costa (63′)), Choupo-Moting (↓Musiala (63′)), Zirkzee, Goretzka (↓Hernandez (19′)), Roca, Nianzou, RichardsWerder Bremen (3-4-3)PavlenkaToprak-Gross-FriedlSelassie-Eggestein-Mohwald-AugustinssonRashica-Sargent-BittencourtSubstitutes- Kapino, Agu (↓Bittencourt (66′)), Moisander, Rieckmann, Mbom (↓Mohwald (72′)), Woltemade, Osako, Selke, Chong (↓Rashica (90+1′))"