Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich survived several first-half scares in a 1-1 home draw with Schalke 04 on Saturday as Philipp Lahm made his 500th appearance for the Bavarian club. Robert Lewandowski gave Bayern an early lead but Naldo quickly replied for the Royal Blues who then squandered several chances to go ahead. Bayern finished stronger, however, and only two superb last-gasp interceptions by Schalke defender Matija Nastasic denied them a late winner. The Bavarians have 46 points from 19 games, four ahead of RB Leipzig who travel to Borussia Dortmund later on Saturday. Lewandowski finished off a flowing move by clipping the ball over Ralf Faehrmann for this 15th goal of the season in the ninth minute but Schalke levelled four minutes later when Naldo's low free kick found its way past Manuel Neuer. Neuer denied Sead Kolasinac who had a clear run on goal, Guido Burgstaller hit the crossbar and Leon Goretzka dallied too long over a shot as Schalke threatened to hand Bayern a first home defeat of the season. Lahm came on in the second half to a rapturous reception and Schalke were forced on to the back foot as Bayern took control. Javi Martinez drilled a shot just wide and Nastasic took the ball off Thomas Mueller's foot just as he was about to shoot before nipping in to deny Kingsley Coman with another last-ditch tackle. Hoffenheim, third with 34 points, brushed aside Mainz 05 4-0 with Adam Szalai scoring twice in the last five minutes. A second-minute goal from Genki Haraguichi gave Hertha Berlin a 1-0 win over Ingolstadt which kept them a further point behind. A late penalty from Anthony Modeste gave Cologne a 1-0 win over VfL Wolfsbug and Borussia Moenchengladbach scored three times in the last 20 minutes to beat Freiburg 3-0. Lars Stindl set them on the way by curling a superb effort in off the post. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
