A second-half equaliser from RB Leipzig defender Marcel Halstenberg helped RB Leipzig maintain Bayern Munich to a 1-1 residence draw on Friday within the first Bundesliga match for the reason that winter break.

Bayern appeared on the right track for his or her seventh straight Bundesliga win after striker Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting scored within the 37th minute, however Halstenberg levelled within the 52nd minute.

Veteran Bayern ahead Thomas Mueller had an opportunity to win the match in harm time with a shot from level clean vary, however dragged his effort simply broad.

Bayern supervisor Julian Nagelsmann lamented his facet’s concession of a “completely pointless aim” but said a point was “worth a little bit more” to his facet than to Leipzig, contemplating the groups’ relative positions within the desk.

“Leipzig performed a robust sport and each groups performed somewhat bit wildly, however at the top of the day we are able to dwell with the draw.”

A mix of rustiness after a ten-week break and sub-zero temperatures meant either side struggled to seek out rhythm early on.

Central defender Josko Gvardiol, one of the breakout stars at the World Cup, almost scored an own goal after seven minutes, when his attempt at smothering a Serge Gnabry cross hit the post.

Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka headed the ball in the back of the net after 31 minutes, but the goal was struck off due to a narrow offside against Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt in the build up.

The reigning champions got on the board soon after through Cameroon striker Choupo-Moting, who tapped a Gnabry cross past the outstretched arm of Leipzig keeper Janis Blaswich to score his 11th goal in ten games in all competitions.

Leipzig shook off the cobwebs to reclaim parity shortly after halftime when Halstenberg side-footed in a Dominik Szoboszlai header to score his first goal of the season.

The goal sparked Leipzig’s most dominant period of the game, with the home side frequently threatening Bayern on the counter as the visitors pushed to regain the lead.

Bayern were fortunate not to be reduced to ten men in the 66th minute when France defender Dayot Upamecano brought down a rampaging Szoboszlai who was through on goal with only goalkeeper Yann Sommer to beat.

Upamecano, one of four former Leipzig players in Bayern’s squad along with manager Julian Nagelsmann, received a yellow card.

Leipzig manager Marco Rose, who picked up a yellow card for remonstrating with the referee late in the game, said he could live with the decision.

“At first I saw it differently – I thought he (Szoboszlai) was through,” stated Rose.

“(But) I spoke with the referee and I can see his argument – a yellow card is completely OK.”

Halstenberg said “it was an exchanging of blows and it could have gone in either direction – it’s a pity but we can start (the season) with a point.”

Red Bull-owned Leipzig have now solely managed to beat the Bavarians as soon as in 16 aggressive appearances since their promotion to the Bundesliga for the 2016-17 season.

With lower than half of the season’s fixtures performed, Leipzig sit six factors behind Bayern in third.

Bayern will nonetheless end the spherical as outright desk leaders, no matter different outcomes, though second-placed Freiburg have an opportunity to chop the hole at the highest to 2 factors after they journey to Wolfsburg on Saturday.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)