Bayern Munich 3 Arminia Bielefeld 3: World Champions caught cold on Bunderliga return in six-goal snowstorm thriller
BAYERN MUNICH were caught cold on their return to Bundesliga action as Arminia Bielefeld earned a shock point in Bavarian snowstorm.
The newly-promoted minnows, battling relegation in their first top-flight season since 2009, took a shock two-goal lead against the newly-crowned world champions at Allianz Arena.
Michael Vlap struck after nine minutes before Amos Pieper rose highest from a corner for 2-0.
Hansi Flick’s leaders were playing their first game since winning the Club World Cup in Qatar and appeared to have frozen on the wintery Bavarian night.
A heavy snowstorm blanketed the pitch and led to the first-half being stopped twice to clear the lines.
The half-time break saw the weather clear and Bayern started their comeback in relatively normal conditions, Robert Lewandowski cleverly firing home a reply on the turn.
Yet Arminia were not ready to collapse just yet and Christian Gebauer notched from close-range less than 60 seconds later.
Leroy Sane set up Corentin Tolisso to get Munich back within a goal before the ex-Manchester City winger found space on the right to help tee up the equaliser.
A lofted ball into the box bounced through to Alphonso Davies, who hammered home to make it 3-3.
There was still time for the Bundesliga leaders to suffer a further scare as Sergio Cordova notched for the visitors – but was called offside.
The point left Bayern five points clear of second-place RB Leipzig before a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt, who sit third, on Saturday.
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Despite being held to a draw by the relegation battlers, Munich boss Flick was satisfied with his side’s performance.
He told DAZN: “The team took a mentality onto the pitch in the second-half that was sensational.
“We made life difficult for ourselves, falling 1-3 behind too easily. We have to defend better.”
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