Union Berlin frustrates Bayern with late equalizer in Bundesliga

BERLIN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Benedict Hollerbach scored a late equalizer as Union Berlin battled to a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich on Saturday, loosening Bayern's grip on the Bundesliga's top position.

Bayern dominated possession and the tempo of the game from the outset, while struggling to find a way past a well-positioned Union side.

The visitor's first real chance came in the 18th minute when Michael Olise's clever pass found Serge Gnabry, whose shot from a tight angle was saved by goalkeeper Frederik Ronnow.

Union held firmly in the first half, with Ronnow making another fine save to keep out Harry Kane's long-range effort just before the break.

Bayern upped the tempo after the restart and came close to breaking the deadlock in the 50th minute when Jamal Musiala cut through the defense but was again denied by Ronnow.

Bayern's efforts finally paid off in the 75th minute. Josip Stanisic cut the ball back perfectly for Leroy Sane, who kept his cool to finish from close range.

But just when it looked as if Bayern would take all three points, Union struck back against the run of play. Seven minutes from time, Josip Juranovic whipped in a cross that Bayern failed to clear, and Hollerbach showed great composure to slot the ball past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and level the score at 1-1.

With the draw, Bayern now leads second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who has a game in hand, by nine points.

"Normally we win games like this. We kept the threat away from our goal for a long time. When you don't get three points, you're disappointed with the result, it's as simple as that. But we'll carry on next week and attack again," said Bayern coach Vincent Kompany.

Elsewhere, Leipzig moved back into the top five after a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund. Freiburg drew 2-2 with third-placed Mainz, while Wolfsburg lost 1-0 at Augsburg.

St. Pauli beat Hoffenheim 1-0 on Friday. ■