BERLIN: Defending champions Bayern Munich were held to a scoreless draw by promoted Schalke in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
The draw ended Bayern’s run of 67 consecutive matchdays atop the Bundesliga table. It was the first time they failed to score since February 2025.
Seven-time German champions Schalke have not beaten Bayern since 2011 and had not even taken a point off the Bavarian giants in nine years — a run of 12 straight defeats.
“That’s who we are. That’s what defines us, and everyone can be proud of their performance today,” said the impressive Schalke goalie Loris Karius, who was named man of the match.
The former Liverpool ‘keeper deflected the post-match praise to his defenders, telling Sky Germany: “I just had to shout instructions to the lads: keep going, push up, drop back.”
With Harry Kane and Michael Olise starting from the bench, Bayern dominated the ball but created few clear chances as stubborn Schalke dug deep to pick up their first point of the season.
Luis Diaz had an excellent chance with 54 minutes gone when through on the advancing Karius, but the Colombian’s chip was too soft and was cleared off the line by Robin Gosens.
Bayern’s best chance came late when a long-range Kane effort was kept out by an excellent save from Karius, who leapt high to palm the ball to safety.
His opposite number, Bayern captain Manuel Neuer was heavily booed by home fans every time he touched the ball on his return to the club where he started his career.
It will likely be the 40-year-old’s final match in Gelsenkirchen, his home town, before his expected retirement at the season’s end.
“A win would have been nice,” Neuer said, adding “but some of my family will be happy about the result and so it’s okay as it is. I enjoyed myself.”
Despite the draw, Bayern will be buoyed by the return of Jamal Musiala, who revealed he is suffering from a neurological condition after collapsing in pre-season games.
Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2026
