Heidenheim 3-2 Bayern Munich: Hosts complete stunning two-goal comeback to end the Bavarians title charge
Bayern Munich squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Heidenheim on Saturday, effectively ending the Bavarians' slim Bundesliga title hopes with six games remaining.
Tim Kleindienst completed a memorable comeback for the hosts in the 79th minute, after they had scored twice in two minutes early in the second half, leaving Bayern 16 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who can win their first title after next week's games.
The Bavarians, who face Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final first leg next week, have now lost their last two league games, and embattled coach Thomas Tuchel is set to leave at the end of the season.
Despite the loss, club officials announced after the game that Tuchel would take over next week against Arsenal.
They are second on 60 points, with Bayer Leverkusen on 76. Third-placed VfB Stuttgart joined Bayern on 60 points after a 1-0 win over Borussia Dortmund, who dropped to fifth.
"In 10-15 minutes in the second half we gave away everything we had built up until that point," Bayern's Tuchel told a press conference. "We had chances to turn the game again. But then we conceded a goal way too easily."
"I can't explain it. Obviously we struggle to keep our concentration on a high level. It is difficult to explain. I can describe it but it is difficult to explain," he said.
Tuchel was handed a booking, which means he will miss the home game against Cologne the following week.
Bayern, who had won the league for the previous 11 years in a row, appeared to be on their way to a comfortable victory after Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry scored in the first half. Tuchel had demanded a reaction after last week's defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
However, the hosts stunned Bayern with two goals in two minutes, one each from Kevin Sessa and Kleindienst.
Heidenheim comfortably withstood any Bayern attack and gradually increased pressure. They were rewarded when Kleindienst completed a counterattack, resulting in the club's most memorable victory.
Heidenheim, the first newly promoted club in Bundesliga history to defeat Bayern after coming from two goals down, are 10th in the table with 33 points.
SportsLigue