Bayern Munich continued a frustrating start to 2015 by playing out a 1-1 draw with Schalke 04 after losing Jerome Boateng to a red card in the first half.
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Bayern were typically dominant in the early stages of the match, and they came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when Bastian Schweinsteiger headed just wide from a corner.
However, it was Schalke who were handed an advantage when Jerome Boateng lost the run of Sidney Sam before bringing down the winger to give the referee no other choice but to show him a red card.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting stepped up to take the penalty which followed, but Manuel Neuer guessed correctly to keep out the tame effort.
Despite losing a key figure in defence, Bayern continued to dominate possession for long spells, and Schalke appeared to lack a cutting edge in the final third without the suspended Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
A frustrating first half for Bayern almost ended on a positive note, but Arjen Robben was a few inches off target with a curled effort from the edge of the box.
An injury to Schalke goalkeeper Fabian Giefer forced Roberto Di Matteo to bring on Timon Wellenreuther, and the 19-year-old made a confident start by keeping out a swerving strike from Robben.
Wellenreuther was unable to keep the champions out on his Bundesliga debut as Bayern took the lead when Robben found the space to head home from a Xabi Alonso corner.
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It was a swift response from Schalke as Howedes took advantage of poor marking at the other end to head in Sam's corner for a goal which mirrored the opener at the Allianz Arena.
Second-half substitute Robert Lewandowski sent an effort just over from a tight angle late on in a frantic finish, but neither side could find the winner in the closing stages.
Callum Mulvihill
