Bundesliga: Schalke hold Bayern as Dortmund complete dramatic comeback

Schalke goalkeeper Loris Karius was the standout performer as Bayern Munich were held to a goalless draw at VELTINS-Arena, ending the champions’ 56-match scoring run.

Bayern started with intent and tested Karius inside the opening 10 minutes. Lennart Kart was first to threaten before Nathaniel Brown forced the Schalke goalkeeper into an impressive diving save after being played in by Joshua Kimmich.

The visitors controlled possession for long periods, but Schalke came close to taking an unexpected lead before half-time. Adil Aouchiche’s 36th-minute free-kick produced the home side’s best opportunity, although Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was equal to it.

Karius became increasingly influential after the interval and finished the game with 10 saves. His most important stop came four minutes from time, when he denied Harry Kane the chance to snatch victory for Bayern.

“It was great for me,” said Karius after his heroics.

“I only had to shout to keep going, move up, drop back. Real credit to the guys for what they did. They kept so much away and made things so incredibly hard for Bayern.

“The guys really worked hard until they couldn’t go anymore. Everyone today can be proud of their performance.”

The draw gave Schalke their first point since returning to the Bundesliga. Bayern, meanwhile, dropped to fourth in the table after failing to score for the first time in 56 matches.

Dortmund recover from two-goal deficit

Borussia Dortmund produced a dramatic late comeback to beat Hoffenheim 3-2 at the PreZero Arena after falling two goals behind.

The match began cautiously, with Dortmund forced to replace injured defender Filippo Mane after 30 minutes. Hoffenheim then broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion when Leon Avallahu struck from 20 metres.

The home side extended their advantage in the ninth minute of the second half through Tim Lemperle. Dortmund responded almost immediately, with Serhou Guirassy reducing the deficit two minutes later.

Dortmund manager made a double substitution, sending on Luca Reggiani and Fabio Silva. Silva made an immediate impact, scoring the equaliser in the 66th minute, only three minutes after entering the game.

The visitors continued to push for a winner and completed the turnaround five minutes from full-time. Hoffenheim defender Albian Hajdari redirected a cross into his own goal to make it 3-2.

The victory lifted Dortmund into second place, while Hoffenheim remained 16th.

Leverkusen cruise past Union Berlin

Bayer Leverkusen delivered a dominant attacking display in a 4-0 victory over Union Berlin at the BayArena.

The hosts needed only one minute to take the lead. Ezequiel Fernandez finished from close range after being set up by Miguel Gutierrez.

Fernandez then turned provider in the 28th minute, crossing for Facundo Medina to head in Leverkusen’s second.

Bayer maintained their control after the break. Patrik Schick added a third with a low finish following good work by Jarell Quansah, before Ibrahim Maza completed the scoring in the 66th minute.

Union Berlin struggled to escape Leverkusen’s pressure and created little in response. The result left them 15th, while Bayer moved up to fifth.

Elversberg complete comeback at Borussia Monchengladbach

Elversberg secured their second Bundesliga victory since promotion with a remarkable 4-3 win away to Borussia Monchengladbach at Borussia Park.

Hugo Bolin headed the hosts in front after 11 minutes, but David Mokwa levelled with a low shot shortly before the half-hour mark.

Bolin restored Monchengladbach’s lead in the 44th minute, finishing clinically from close range to complete his first-half double.

Joe Scally appeared to put the hosts in control when he made it 3-1 with a composed finish in the 56th minute. Elversberg substitute Maurice Krattenmacher pulled one back 10 minutes later.

The visitors completed their recovery in the closing stages. Felix Keidel equalised with an excellent free-kick in the 80th minute, before Krattenmacher scored again four minutes into added time to complete the turnaround.

The result moved newly promoted Elversberg into third place.

Elsewhere, Freiburg secured their second win of the new campaign by beating Paderborn 1-0 at the Benteler Arena. Maximilian Eggestein settled the match with a well-taken strike from inside the box in the 26th minute.

At the Weserstadion, Werder Bremen defeated RB Leipzig 3-1. Eren Dinkci, Niclas Fullkrug and Marco Grull gave the home side a 3-0 lead before Ridle Baku scored a consolation goal deep into added time.