FC Bayern Munich held on for a dramatic 1-1 draw against Bayer 04 Leverkusen despite finishing the match with nine men in a chaotic Bundesliga clash on Saturday.
The leaders endured a tense night at the Bay Arena, but managed to secure a point that keeps them firmly on course for the league title with eight matches remaining.
Leverkusen struck first when Aleix Garcia finished a slick team move just six minutes into the game. The Spanish midfielder collected a pass from Patrik Schick before delicately chipping the ball over Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, who was starting due to injuries to Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig.
Bayern thought they had equalised midway through the first half when defender Jonathan Tah headed in from a corner, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review.
The visitors’ situation worsened shortly before halftime when striker Nicolas Jackson was sent off for a reckless challenge on Martin Terrier.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany later criticised the officiating, calling the refereeing decisions “insane.”
Despite being reduced to ten men, Bayern continued to push forward. Substitute Harry Kane thought he had scored just seconds after coming on following his return from a calf injury, but the goal was disallowed for handball after another VAR review.
Bayern eventually found an equaliser in the 69th minute when Luis Diaz calmly finished a precise assist from Michael Olise.
However, the Colombian forward was later sent off after receiving a second yellow card for diving in the penalty area following minimal contact from Leverkusen goalkeeper Janis Blaswich.
Down to nine players for the first time since 2001, Bayern were forced into a defensive battle during the closing stages. Leverkusen had two late goals ruled out in stoppage time, allowing the visitors to escape with a point.
The result allowed second-placed Borussia Dortmund to close the gap slightly after a 2-0 home victory over FC Augsburg.
Karim Adeyemi opened the scoring for Dortmund in the 13th minute after finishing a pass from Maximilian Beier. Young defender Luca Reggiani then doubled the lead just before the hour mark, heading in a corner from Julian Ryerson for his first Bundesliga goal.
The win moved Dortmund to 58 points, cutting Bayern’s lead to nine points.
Elsewhere, Arnaud Kalimuendo scored the only goal as Eintracht Frankfurt defeated 1. FC Heidenheim 1-0.
Meanwhile, VfL Wolfsburg’s fight against relegation suffered another setback following a 1-1 draw against TSG Hoffenheim, leaving Wolfsburg stuck in the Bundesliga relegation zone.
