Bayern on top despite defeat

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Four days after thrashing Tottenham in Europe, Bayern Munich suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday with a shock 2-1 home defeat by Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

Second-half goals by striker Sargis Adamyan sealed a first-ever win at Bayern for Hoffenheim as Niko Kovac’s side crashed back down to earth following Tuesday’s 7-2 Champions League rout of Spurs.

“This is a huge dream for me,” said Armenian international Adamyan, who cost 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) from second-division Jahn Regensburg in May.

“The win is very important as we have shown that we can beat anyone in the Bundesliga,” he added as Hoffenheim won the first time in five games.

It was Bayern’s first home league defeat for almost a year.

Robert Lewandowski equalised with his 11th Bundesliga goal this season, scoring for the seventh straight league game before Adamyan clinched the win with his second late on to stun the Allianz Arena.

“We had two simple losses of possession that led to two goals against us — that must not happen,” said Kovac.

Bayern captain Manuel Neuer said the defeat served as “a warning you get nothing for free”.

Bayern kept first place in the table only on goal difference ahead of RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Freiburg, with the top four teams on 14 points.

Nkunku rescues Leipzig

Both Leverkusen and Leipzig pulled level with Bayern after their 1-1 draw as Christopher Nkunku came off the bench to rescue visitors Leipzig.

Following losses to Schalke and Lyon over the past week, Leipzig took out their frustrations by battering the Leverkusen goal, yet it was the hosts who took the lead.

Kevin Volland’s second-half goal, against the run of play, was cancelled out when Nkunku, on for Timo Werner after a fruitless afternoon for the Germany striker, levelled with a superb finish 11 minutes from time.

Freiburg are joint second with Leipzig after drawing 2-2 at home with Borussia Dortmund, who have drawn their last three league games to drop to seventh.

Mainz climbed out of the relegation places with a 2-1 win at Paderborn thanks to an early Robin Quaison goal and a first-half Daniel Brosinski penalty.

Daily Pioneer
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