Bayern Munich forced to settle for 1-1 draw with Ajax

Ajax managed a 1-1 draw against stumbling Bayern Munich in a Group E Champions League match.

For the hosts, the disappointing result comes on the heels of another home draw against Augsburg and an away loss to Hertha Berlin on Tuesday night.

The contest began encouragingly for the 70,000 mainly Bayern supporters at Munich's Allianz Arena, as Mats Hummels converted an Arjen Robben cross to put the hosts ahead 1-0 in the 5th minute, reports Efe news.

Bayern looked to be in control until the 17th minute, when a shot from Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico sailed just over the cross-bar. Three minutes later, Hakim Ziyech forced home keeper Manuel Neuer to concede a corner.

The equalizer came in the 22nd minute from Noussair Mazraoui, who beat Neuer after working a give-and-go with Dusan Tadic.

Ajax grew increasingly confident in the face of Bayern's obvious anxiety and Ziyech tested Neuer in the 44th minute.

James Rodriguez had the best chance for the hosts with a strike in the 62nd minute that forced a stop from Ajax keeper Andre Onana, yet Ajax looked the more likely to get a second goal as the match wore on.

The unexpected results leaves Bayern and Ajax tied on points with 4, but the Dutch side hold the top spot in Group E by virtue of better goal differential.

--IANS

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