BERLIN: Bayern Munich forward Leroy Sane scored a late equaliser to help the German Bundesliga champions claim a 1-1 draw at home against Borussia Moencheng­ladbach and maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign after it came under serious threat on Saturday.

Sane curled in his effort into the bottom corner in the 83rd minute as Bayern were rewarded for their relentless pursuit of a leveller after squandering several chances and being kept at bay by the impressive Yann Sommer in the Gladbach goal.

Earlier, Moenchengladbach went ahead in the 43rd minute when striker Marcus Thuram slid the ball past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for his sixth goal in all competitions but Bayern had themselves to blame with Dayot Upamecano failing to deal with a long ball.

Bayern were a constant threat before the opener and Sane wasted two chances before new signing Sadio Mane had two goals chalked off for offside after he twice tapped in from close range, much to the frustration of the home fans.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side came into the clash on the back of a 7-0 hammering of VfL Bochum which made it three wins in their opening three games of the campaign but they struggled at times to find a way past Gladbach before Sane struck.

“We had 35 shots on goal, that’s not a bad number,” said Nagelsmann. “I’m annoyed because we played well... the only thing I can blame my team for is not converting our chances.”

“Despite the result, I actually think this was our best game so far this season.” Sommer produced a brilliant double block to keep a Mane shot out following a quick counter following the restart and produced a string of saves to deny Sane, Benjamin Pavard, Thomas Mueller, and Serge Gnabry to earn his team a point.

The Swiss International set a new single-game Bundesliga record with 19 saves, bettering Alexander Schwolow’s previous mark of 14 for Hertha Berlin against the same opposition in January this year.

“It takes a lot for something like this to happen. As a goalkeeper, you need to have a good day,” said Sommer. “Bayern are really in an unbelievable form and put on a lot of pressure.”

MODESTE SCORES FOR DORTMUND

French striker Anthony Modeste thanked Dortmund manager Edin Terzic after his first-half goal gave his side a narrow 1-0 win away at Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

Modeste headed in a cross from Salih Ozcan, who also arrived from Cologne this summer, in the 32nd minute to put Dortmund 1-0 up.

Modeste, who is known for his theatrical celebrations which often involve dancing and even props, ran emotionally to Terzic and embraced him after scoring.

“I’m so glad to score my first goal. It took its time, but it was really important.”

“I’ve copped so much (since arriving at Dortmund), but the manager was always there for me.” Elsewhere, RB Leipzig gained their first Bundestags win of the season with a 2-0 home victory over Wolfsburg.

Leipzig’s French forward Christopher Nkunku converted a penalty after five minutes to open the scoring.

Former Chelsea striker Timo Werner, who started from the bench after an infection, set up Nkunku’s second in the 90th minute to relieve some pressure from Leipzig coach Domenico Tedesco.

Bayer Leverkusen picked up their first points of the season with a 3-0 win away at Mainz.

Leverkusen, who had scored just one goal in three Bundesliga games and had already been eliminated from the German Cup, scored three first-half goals, including a brace for Dutch wing back Jeremie Frimpong.

Hoffenheim won their third game of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Augsburg, thanks to a first-half goal from Dennis Geiger.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2022