Bayern Munich failed to make the most of an early goal as they could only muster a 1-1 draw against 10-man Bavarian rivals Nurnberg.
Mario Mandzukic had put the visitors ahead inside three minutes but they were unable to assert themselves on the game despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession.
Markus Feulner restored parity moments after the restart and der Club put in a resilient second-half display to ensure the spoils were shared despite being reduced to 10 men in the closing stages.
Despite the unavailability of Arjen Robben, Philipp Lahm and Franck Ribery were among the players rested by Jupp Heynckes, but die Roten were not left wanting for firepower early on as they scored from their very first chance.
Anatoliy Tymoshchuk drilled a pass into Toni Kroos on the right side of the box and the Germany international controlled it well before rolling the ball to the back post. Mandzukic evaded his marker and raced in at the back post to net the opener with just three minutes on the clock.
Nurnberg did well to gather themselves and ensure that Bayern were unable to maintain quite as ferocious of an attacking intent. A David Alaba cross that almost resulted in the an own goal being their best opportunity to double their advantage until the 35th minute.
The hosts had begun to push Heynckes’ side back and get a hold of the ball, but a swift counterattack almost saw them fall further behind. Xherdan Shaqiri bided his time before slipping a through-ball to Rafinha but the Brazilian lacked the same composure and Raphael Schafer parried his effort aside.
Kroos sent a weak header from Shaqiri’s cross straight into the arms of the keeper on the stroke of half time and it proved to be a costly waste.
In the second minute after the restart Kroos gave away possession in the Bayern half and Feulner picked up the loose ball. He drove at goal and his swerving 25-yard effort fooled Manuel Neuer, who could not keep it out of the bottom corner despite getting a hand to it.
Der Club could well have taken a shock lead minutes later but Timo Gebhart completely mishit Javier Pinola’s cross. The former Stuttgart man sent the ball behind him, rather than testing the keeper.
With Dieter Hecking’s men looking to consolidate the draw, the Bavarian giants became frustrated. A number of wayward tackles began to fly in and the match became increasingly scrappy.
That suited Nurnberg and they were offered two great chances to move ahead of their opponents in the 68th minute. However, they were unable to capitalise as Sebastian Polter’s header was turned behind by Neuer and Per Nilsson nodded wide from the resulting corner.
Timo Gebhart received his second yellow card for an elbow on Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 77th minute but Bayern were unable to find a winner.
Die Roten could now see their eight-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga cut to five if Schalke emerge victorious against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday evening.