By Xinhua
Berlin : Title favourites Bayern Munich were held to their second successive draw, ending the home game tied 1-1 with Schalke 04, while defending champions Stuttgart sealed their second win in German Bundesliga football.
Bayern made a bright start but failed to convert their chances. Italian international Luca Toni missed three opportunities while Christian Lell was denied one by Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Despite pressure from the hosts, Schalke took the lead with their first shot on target when Ivan Rakitic scored with a fierce drive from 25 metres nine minutes before halftime.
It was Schalke’s first-ever goal in the Allianz Arena and the first time in 10 Bundesliga matches that Bayern fell a goal behind.
Rakitic could have doubled Schalke’s lead just before the break when he was clean through but foiled by veteran Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.
Bayern were back on level terms nine minutes after the interval.
Neuer did well to keep out Toni’s header from Franck Ribery’s free-kick and Miroslav Klose followed up with a header into the empty net to make it 1-1 from close range.
With the away tie, Schalke can draw confidence for the UEFA Champions League match against Valencia Tuesday, but Bayern missed out on a result ahead of their UEFA Cup match against Belenenses Lisbon Thursday.
With the second draw of the new season, Bayern have not been allowed to dominate the German league as they are just one point ahead of Arminia Bielefeld and Eintracht Frankfurt, tied for second.
Defending champions Stuttgart, who have only four points from as many matches, picked up their second win of the season.
Stuttgart celebrated a 3-0 home victory at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion against Cottbus thanks to goals from Cacau, Ewerthon and German international striker Mario Gomez.
The win gives them some confidence ahead of their Champions League tie against Glasgow Rangers Wednesday.
In another match, Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrated a 2-0 win over VfL Bochum, the goals coming from defenders Karim Haggui and Manuel Friedrich.
Thanks to Alexander Meier, Eintracht Frankfurt won their third home game of the season, a 2-1 victory against Hamburger SV.
Eintracht could only manage five league wins at home all last season.
With the win, Eintracht coach Friedhelm Funkel became only the 19th Bundesliga trainer to collect 400 points in his career.
In the remaining two matches Saturday, Nurnberg were held 2-2 at home by Hannover, while Arminia Bielefeld defeated Rostock 4-2, sealing their second place among the league.
Rostock, who have lost all five games after they were promoted to the Bundesliga this season, remain firmly anchored at the bottom of league.