Bayern Munich stumble to 1-1 draw versus Union Berlin

Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v 1. FC Union Berlin - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - April 10, 2021. FC Union Berlin's Marcus Ingvartsen scores their first goal. [REUTERS/Andreas Gebert]

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich stumbled to a 1-1 draw at home against Union Berlin on Saturday after conceding an 86th minute equaliser through Marcus Ingvartsen to see their lead at the top cut to five points with six games left.

Teenager Jamal Musiala had put a second-string Bayern team ahead in the 68th minute, picking up a Thomas Mueller pass and weaving past three players in the box before firing home.

The Bavarians, missing nine players through injury or illness including top striker Robert Lewandowski and winger Serge Gnabry, dominated possession but let their guard down four minutes from time, allowing Ingvartsen to bundle in a cut-back.

Bayern were far from their best with an unusual lineup that included Josip Stanisic, who was making his senior debut, and rarely threatened.

They had endured a tumultuous week with their 3-2 home loss to Paris St Germain in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday amid growing speculation regarding the future of coach Hansi Flick at the club.

Flick, a front-runner for the Germany job after the Euros, has had an uneasy relationship with Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic over squad planning and before the game repeatedly refused to answer questions regarding his future at Bayern.

Bayern are now on 65 points, five ahead of second-placed RB Leipzig, who beat Werder Bremen 4-1 away. Eintracht Frankfurt tightened their hold on fourth place with a 4-3 home win over third-placed VfL Wolfsburg. Eintracht are on 53, a point behind the Wolves, and 10 ahead of fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund.

The top four teams qualify for the Champions League group stage. Dortmund visit VfB Stuttgart later on Saturday. 

By AFP 1 hr ago
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