Werkself snatch 2-2 draw away at Bayern Munich

Bayer 04 earned a 2-2 draw away at Bayern Munich on Matchday 4 in the Bundesliga to remain unbeaten and top of the table in 2023/24. A capacity Allianz Arena saw Harry Kane put the hosts ahead before Alejandro Grimaldo fired in a sublime free-kick to level. Leon Goretzka then restored Bayern’s advantage with four minutes remaining, but Exequiel Palacios held his nerve with a penalty in the 94th minute to take a point.

Head coach Xabi Alonso made just one change to his team from the 5-1 win at home to Darmstadt prior to the international break. That saw Robert Andrich come in for Palacios. The home side started strongly as the Werkself struggled to find their feet. Konrad Laimer had the first attempt before the defending champions went ahead. Edmond Tapsoba tried to clear a Leroy Sane corner but only flicked it on into the path of Kane, who nodded in at the far post with seven minutes gone.

Grimaldo’s pin-perfect response

However, Leverkusen soon started to get into the game and create chances themselves. But it was a free-kick from a central position that brought the equaliser as Grimaldo fired his shot over the wall and past Sven Ulreich into the top corner. The match then opened up into an end-to-end affair with chances for both sides. Victor Boniface had a couple of opportunities and a goal ruled out for offside, before Sane and Serge Gnabry had efforts of their own. It remained 1-1 going into the break, though.

Things continued where they left off in the second half. Jeremie Frimpong had the next big chance when played in by Grant Xhaka, only for Ulreich to save with his leg. Lukas Hradecky then did the same only moments later, producing a brilliant reaction stop to deny Kane from close range. Things then started to calm down as both teams looked to take less risks.

Palacios cool from the spot

It was all build-up for a breathless closing period, which saw the 5,000 travelling Leverkusen supporters witness yet more attacking play from their team. Florian Wirtz dribbled his way through left of goal and fired across Ulreich, only to see the ball rebound off the far post with 78 minutes on the clock. Only moments later, Boniface got past Minjae Kim but was also denied by the Bayern goalkeeper. Then with four minutes of regular time remaining, substitute Mathys Tel squared for Goretzka to sweep home and put the hosts ahead. The drama wasn’t over there, though. After Jonas Hofmann went down under a challenge from Alphonso Davies, referee Daniel Schlager reviewed the scene on the monitor and opted for a penalty. Like he did against Bayern last season, Palacios held his nerve from the spot to convert and earn a deserved 2-2 draw, this time in Munich.

Häcken and Heidenheim to come

Fixtures come thick and fast now for Bayer 04 as the UEFA Europa League kicks off with the visit of Swedish champions Häcken to the BayArena on Thursday (18:45 CEST). Then Alonso and his team host promoted Heidenheim on Matchday 5 in the Bundesliga on Sunday (15:30).

Match stats:

Bayern: Ulreich – Laimer (De Ligt 85'), Upamecano, Kim, Davies – Goretzka, Kimmich (Mazraoui 61') – Sane, Müller (Musiala 61'), Gnabry (Tel 70') – Kane (Choupo-Moting 85')

Bayer 04: Hradecky – Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba (Hlozek 90') – Frimpong (Adli 82'), Andrich (Palacios 46'), Xhaka, Grimaldo – Hofmann (Hincapie 90'+6), Wirtz (Amiri 90'+6) – Boniface

Goals: 1-0 Kane (7'), 1-1 Grimaldo (24'), 2-1 Goretzka (86'), 2-2 Palacios (90'+4, pen)

Yellow cards: Tuchel (coach) - Hofmann, Wirtz, Tapsoba

Referee: Daniel Schlager (Hügelsheim)

Attendance: 75,000 (Allianz Arena)