Berlin: Neither Borussia Dortmund nor Bayern Munich could seize their opportunity in the Bundesliga.
Borussia Dortmund conceded three late goals against 10-man Stuttgart and squandered the chance to capitalize on league leader Bayern Munich’s 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim.
Gio Reyna temporarily fired Dortmund level on points with Bayern at the top when he scored in injury time, but there was still time for Silas Katompa Mvumpa to score Stuttgart’s even later equalizer for 3-3, leaving Dortmund two points behind Bayern with six rounds remaining.
Hoffenheim forward Andrej Kramaric struck what seemed a decisive blow in the title race with a free kick that canceled Benjamin Pavard’s opening goal for Bayern, then Dortmund failed to make the most of its two-goal lead against Stuttgart, which had a player less for the whole second half.
“It’s hard to find the words for it,” Dortmund coach Edin Terzic said. “We thought we’d already experienced the stupidest of the season with the loss at home to Werder Bremen (3-2 Aug. 20) when we were winning up to the 88th minute, but this tops everything.”
Dortmund forward Sébastien Haller fired the visitors ahead in the 26th minute and Donyell Malen eluded three Stuttgart defenders to make it 2-0 in the 33rd.
Stuttgart’s task was complicated further when Konstantinos Mavropanos was sent off in the 39th with two yellow cards within four minutes.
Jude Bellingham struck the crossbar for Dortmund after the break, as did captain Marco Reus, then Stuttgart substitute Tanguy Coulibaly shocked the visitors when he scored with a deflected effort in the 78th.
Josha Vagnoman equalized six minutes later, prompting a furious reaction Terzic on the sideline.
Terzic had brought Reyna on two minutes before and the American looked destined to be the hero with his late goal – his sixth Bundesliga goal of the season – only for Silas to have the final say.
“It wouldn’t be good if I said everything I’m thinking now,” the visibly upset Terzic said.
BAYERN BLUES
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel was just as deflated as Terzic after his team’s lackluster showing against Hoffenheim. The Bavarian powerhouse had been looking for a reaction after its error-strewn 3-0 loss at Manchester City in the Champions League Tuesday.
It didn’t come.
“I think altogether there was very little energy, very little pace or change of pace, very little confidence, altogether a lot of uncertainty, very many simple mistakes, but still enough chances to win the game,” said Tuchel, who only has two wins from five games across all competitions since taking over. “Altogether it’s a long way from where we want to be.”
Pavard eased any early-game nerves by poking home the opener in the 17th minute. Bayern went on to control the rest of the half without creating clear-cut chances against the visitors’ defensive setup.
Hoffenheim improved in the second half and duly equalized with Kramaric’s free kick in the 71st.
Pavard thought he’d scored again two minutes later, but the goal was chalked off through VAR for offside.
Bayern was without Senegal star Sadio Mané, suspended for one game by the club for reportedly striking teammate Leroy Sané after the loss in Manchester.
FRANKFURT WAIT CONTINUES
Randal Kolo Muani scored late to salvage a 1-1 draw for Eintracht Frankfurt against visiting Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Gladbach goalkeeper Jonas Omlin starred for the visitors as Frankfurt had 16 efforts at goal. Gladbach only had four.
Frankfurt’s winless streak in the league stretched to seven games.
Earlier, Leipzig held on to beat Augsburg 3-2 and Cologne drew with Mainz 1-1.
AP