Bundesliga
Result: Bayern Munich 2-2 Hertha Berlin
Date: 16 August 2019
Venue: Allianz Arena
Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin played to an entertaining 2-2 draw in their Bundesliga opener at the Allianz Arena on Friday evening.
There was no place in the squad for new boy Ivan Perisic, but French World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard was handed his debut for the Bavarians.
Hertha, who last won this fixture in October 1977, battled to accommodate the pace of the match in the opening 20 minutes as the breakthrough evaded territory.
An all-out attack for Hertha backfired on 24 minutes as Serge Gnabry's interception launched a counter-attack for Robert Lewandowski who slotted home.
Bayern closed-in for another three minutes later, but Lewandowski was unable to profit for the second time following a rebound. Out of nowhere, Hertha levelled nine minutes to halftime through Dodi Lukebakio, whose shot from range deflected past Manuel Neuer.
Bayern conceded again after 38 minutes when on-loan Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic rounded Neuer to tap into an empty net as the hosts failed to clear a long ball.
No immediate response came up on either side, but Kingsley Coman invaded the penalty area to fire on goal but Rune Jarstein parried.
On the hour mark, Bayern awarded a penalty when following a foul inside the area by Grujic. Lewandowski stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to level matters and complete his brace in the process.
In response to the equaliser, Hertha removed Vedad Ibisevic up top for Alexander Esswein on 63 minutes as the first substitution of the evening.
The defending champions however weren't overshadowed by the move, as Hertha continued to battle in the last third.
Bayern slowly pushed for a winner in the final minutes amidst no substitutions, but weren't successful in their quest as the two sides share the spoils.
