By DPA,
Munich : Italian striker Luca Toni scored in stoppage time as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Hoffenheim 2-1 in the Bundesliga’s top-of-the-table clash.
The Friday win lifts Bayern to 34 points, level with promoted Hoffenheim who stay top on goal difference.
Bundesliga hotshot Vedad Ibisevic struck again as Hoffenheim took the lead shortly after the break, but Philipp Lahm levelled on the hour for Bayern.
“It was a tense and exciting game and it’s super that we won in the end. We had enough chances to score the second goal earlier,” Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann said.
Ibisevic struck his 18th goal in 16 games to stun Bayern in the 49th minute following an even first 45 minutes in which Luca Toni had an early chance for Bayern only to hit the side-netting.
Tobias Weis started the move for the visitors, combining well with Chinedu Obasi before crossing to find Ibisevic who shrugged off Massimo Oddo and turned to rifle the ball past keeper Michael Rensing.
Oddo claimed he had been fouled but it was a goal very much in the mould of Bayern legend Gerd Mueller whose record of 40 league goals in a season could be under threat from the Bosnia striker.
“We put a lot into the game, ran and worked hard but in the end we have nothing to show for it which is a pity,” Ibisevic said.
“It is undeserved if you look at the game, but life goes on. We have to learn quickly that you shouldn’t lose games like this.”
Hoffenheim had come out after half-time with all guns blazing and Carlos Eduardo went close to a second with a long-range effort turned round the post by Rensing.
But it was Bayern who struck when Lahm set off on an unhindered run towards the edge of the area where his shot was deflected into the top corner by Marvin Compper.
The goal revived Bayern who came close eight minutes later when a quickly-taken Oddo free-kick found Toni who glanced his header wide of a gaping goal.
Bayern looked closer to finding a second and there were several scares for the Hoffenheim defence, with Toni again glancing a header wide and Miroslav Klose shooting tamely on the break.
However, the visitors had an even better opportunity when Sejad Salihovic played a one-two with Ibisevic and found himself clear only to be foiled by Rensing.
Toni then headed over the bar from close range, but the Italy striker finally settled the game with a minute already gone of stoppage time.
There appeared to be little danger for Hoffenheim but defender Andreas Ibertsberger went in for sliding tackle only to direct the the ball straight into the path of Toni who had little problem in finding the net.
Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick said it was a “brutal” end to the match for his side.
“The result is very bitter. A draw would have been absolutely deserved and we had a great chance ourselves to win near the end,” he said.