Football |

Lewandowski to the rescue for Bayern

Robert Lewandowski came to the rescue for FC Bayern München with a last-gasp equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadion on Saturday.

  • Hertha Berlin 1 Bayern München 1
  • Ibisevic gives Hertha the lead
  • Offside flag denies Ibisevic another
  • Jarstein keeps out Alaba late on
  • Lewandowski equalises at the death

Match Summary

Pal Dardai’s side will feel aggrieved to have conceded at the death after they put in an inspiring performance on the day, having taken the lead through Vedad Ibisevic midway through the first half.

However, the defending Bundesliga champions found a reply in added time from Robert Lewandowski to earn a share of the spoils.

Full Report

The encounter in the capital quickly settled into a chess match as each team probed the other tentatively. Die Alte Dame showed plenty of industry in the opening stages to stifle Bayern and were rewarded for their efforts on 21 minutes when they drew first blood.

Arturo Vidal conceded a free-kick on the left, and the delivery from Marvin Plattenhardt was exquisite as he found Ibisevic, who eluded Thomas Muller to score past Manuel Neuer.

The visitors looked to respond from a set-piece for their own, although Muller was unable to make amends for his sloppy marking six minutes earlier as he headed straight at Rune Jarstein, while Juan Bernat got his volley all wrong moments later when he connected with a cross on the left.

A good ball from Joshua Kimmich created a chance for Arjen Robben on 37 minutes, and the Dutch winger let the ball run onto his right foot before getting off a shot that was stopped by Jarstein.

Bayern survived another scare just four minutes before half-time when Ibisevic headed home a corner that was guided down into his path by John Brooks, but the Bosnian striker’s goal was ruled out for offside.

Plattenhardt and Ibisevic combined again as they threatened to extend the hosts’ lead four minutes into the second half, but the latter’s effort from the former’s cross went wide at the near post.

Genki Haraguchi failed to test Neuer from 15 yards out six minutes later as Hertha broke upfield from the back, which saw him set up by a surging run forward from Salomon Kalou.

Neuer was required to make a save from Vladimir Darida on 57 minutes when his strike from the edge of the area took a deflection, while Thiago tested Jarstein from 18 yards out for Bayern’s first chance after the break on 61 minutes.

But they continued to be frustrated by Hertha and were denied a late equaliser by Jarstein, who dived to his left to keep out David Alaba from outside the box two minutes from time.

But the Norwegian was finally beaten in the sixth minute of stoppage time as he initially prevented Robben from converting Thiago’s free-kick, but Lewandowski was on hand to pounce on the rebound for an unlikely equaliser.

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