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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Harry Kane title hopes take another hit after Bayern Munich draw to hand Bayer Leverkusen further control

Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga title hopes took yet another significant blow as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Freiburg.

Thomas Tuchel’s side fell behind on Friday night but turned things around through goals from Mathys Tel and Jamal Musiala, as they looked set to battle to a narrow win.

Lucas Holer equalised in the 87th-minute for the hosts though and Bayern could not respond, extending a dismal run that has seen them win just one of their last five matches in all competitions.

Bayer Leverkusen, unbeaten this season, remain seven points clear at the top of the table, and have the chance to extend that advantage into double figures on Sunday when they face Cologne.

Bayern have won 11 Bundesliga titles in a row, but a 12th increasingly appears to be beyond them.

“Only one good half isn’t enough if we want to win here,” Tuchel said after the draw with Freiburg.

“The first 30 minutes were bad in the first half. We played with too much indiscipline and we invited counter-attacks. We weren't in our positions.

“We wanted to play here with a different level of emotionality.”

Harry Kane sits comfortably clear at the top of the Bundesliga goalscoring charts, with his tally of 27 at least nine more goals than any other players has managed.

However, his first season in Germany could well end without silverware. Should the Bundesliga title go to Leverkusen, Bayern will be relying on the Champions League, but they are trailing after the first-leg of their last-16 tie with Lazio.

The run of poor form has resulted in confirmation that Tuchel will leave at the end of the season.

“The club made a decision,” Kane said after the news was announced last month.

“We players have to show our responsibility to the manager, our responsibility to the club, to give everything we have for the season.

"We knew as players we haven't been performing as well as we can. You can't just sit there and talk about it. You have to fight and work hard at every moment.”

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