Bayern held to draw by Schalke

BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Schalke as the Bundesliga leader put up another unconvincing display Saturday while Leipzig lost ground in the title race.

Robert Lewandowski fired Bayern into an early lead with his 15th goal of the season but Naldo equalized from a free kick minutes later and the home side missed a number of chances to claim the winner late on.

Bayern sent Badstuber on loan to Schalke for the rest of the season to gain match experience.

The 27-year-old had an unwelcome role in Lewandowski’s ninth-minute goal, failing to clear the ball before the Poland striker dinked the ball over Ralf Faehrmann.

There were some whistles from fans frustrated with the home side’s display around the hour-mark.

Xabi Alonso fired over and Javi Martinez was wasteful in the final minutes for Bayern, before Kingsley Coman missed another chance in injury time.

The result will increase the pressure on Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti, who had come in for criticism following a perceived dip in performance over previous games.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s first-half header was enough for wasteful Dortmund to avenge its 1-0 defeat at Leipzig in the second round and go third.

The Moenchengladbach captain was involved again when Mahmoud Dahoud crossed for Raffael to seal the win five minutes later, before Patrick Herrmann marked his return from injury by scoring in injury time.

Japan midfielder Genki Haraguchi got Hertha off to a dream start in the first minute, converting Solomon Kalou’s cross at the far post.

There was little goalmouth action afterward, with the home side seemingly content to sit back and enjoy the lead.

[...] the home side had to wait until the 81st for Marco Terrazzino to double the lead and Adam Szalai to complete the scoring with two late goals against his former side.

A late penalty from Anthony Modeste clinched the victory that left Wolfsburg just three points off the relegation zone.