Sports

Lewandowski, Heynckes miss records

February 24, 2018
Bayern Munich's players discuss during the German first division Bundesliga football match against Hertha Berlin in Munich Saturday. — AFP
Bayern Munich's players discuss during the German first division Bundesliga football match against Hertha Berlin in Munich Saturday. — AFP

BERLIN — Robert Lewandowski and Jupp Heynckes both missed out on records as runaway Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich was held to a lackluster goalless draw at home to Hertha Berlin Saturday.

Despite the disappointing result, Bayern is now 20 points clear in the table as second-placed Borussia Dortmund hosts Augsburg Monday.

After thrashing 10-man Besiktas 5-0 at home in the last 16, first leg, of the Champions League Tuesday, this was a much more frustrating afternoon for off-key Bayern.

Its run of 14 straight wins in all competitions came to an end and it is only the second time it has dropped league points this season at the Allianz Arena.

It was Bayern's first league draw since October — a 2-2 against Hertha in Berlin.

Despite nearly four times as many chances — 19 shots on goal to Hertha's five — Bayern could not break through, which cost it two records.

Lewandowski, making his 250th Bundesliga appearance, missed out on the out-right record of scoring in 12 consecutive home league games.

He now shares the league record of 11 with Bayern legends Gerd Mueller and current head coach Heynckes.

The 72-year-old Heynckes also missed the chance to become the first Bayern coach to claim 15 straight wins in all competitions.

Lewandowski, who accounted alone for 10 of Bayern's chances, was thwarted by Hertha's goalkeeper Rune Jarstein and the Berlin defence, who ensured he did not add to his 29 goals in all competitions.

Third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt missed the chance to go second with a 1-0 defeat at resurgent VfB Stuttgart.

Winger Erik Thommy scored his first goal for Stuttgart after only 13 minutes to lift his team to 12th — seven points from the relegation places.

It was Stuttgart's third straight win under new coach Tayfun Korkut.

Ex-Bayern striker Nils Petersen celebrated extending his contract until June 2019 with a second-half penalty as Freiburg earned a point in a 1-1 draw at Hoffenheim.

Ex-Leicester striker Andrej Kramaric scored his fifth goal in four games, smashing home a freekick to give Hoffenheim the lead.

But as it has done so often this season, Freiburg fought back.

When Hoffenheim captain Kevin Vogt brought down Petersen, the striker stepped up to convert the penalty for his 12th goal of the season.

It was another blunder from Vogt, whose poor pass last Saturday was snapped up by Breel Embolo to score the winner in its 2-1 defeat at Schalke.

Borussia Moenchengladbach scored its first goal in five games when World Cup winner Christoph Kramer netted with a second-half volley in their 1-0 win at Hanover.

It was Gladbach's first goal for 431 minutes and was worth the wait as Kramer hit the top-left hand corner.

The result breaks Gladbach's run of four straight defeats to leave them seventh.

RB Leipzig can jump from fifth to second if they beat bottom side Cologne at the Red Bull Arena Sunday. — AFP


February 24, 2018
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