Hamburg Peg Bayern to Spoil Klinsmann Debut

Bayern had got off to a flying start in Munich's Allianz Arena with goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski from the penalty spot. But Hamburg came back well to earn a deserved point in an entertaining game thanks to a Paolo Guerrero header and a Piotr Trochowski penalty.

Although there were plus points in the performance for Klinsmann, injury-hit Bayern were often second best to a bright Hamburg side who under new coach Martin Jol sought to go forward from the start. Klinsmann said the Bayern team had taken "a good step forward" but there was "a lot of work still to do."

"Of course as coach you want three points in your first game," he said. "We had hoped to go 3-1 in front directly after the break but unfortunately Hamburg got the penalty to make it 2-2. We had some problems in the first 10 or 15 minutes but managed to get two goals in front only to give it away. The various parts of the team played better together and the fine tuning is coming along. Hamburg played well, had their chances and the result was a fair one.

"We are still in the early phase and at the moment we are not in a position to put an opponent under pressure," he added. "Our combination play isn't together yet but this will come automatically with improved fitness in the coming weeks. We have to improve from week to week."

Perfect Beginning

Hamburg began strongly and the lively Trochowski fired an 11th-minute cross-shot from the left which struck the post with Michael Rensing in goal beaten. But the visitors were caught napping a minute later from a throw-in by Philipp Lahm who sent Ze Roberto down the left. The Brazilian cut the ball back and Schweinsteiger raced in to drive the ball into the net.

Four minutes later Bayern were awarded a penalty when Dutch defender Joris Mathijsen had his arms around Schweinsteiger, and Podolski sent goalkeeper Frank Rost the wrong way from the spot kick.

It was the perfect begin for Bayern who were missing several injured first-choice players including France midfielder Franck Ribery, Italy striker Luca Toni, Turkey midfielder Haltin Altintop and Argentina defender Martin Demechelis.

However the shirt-sleeved Klinsmann was often on the touchline with instructions as Hamburg continued to use the ball well in midfield and find space to threaten an uncertain Bayern defense.

Hamburg back in the game

New captain David Jarolim and Trochowski, a former Bayern player, more than adequately filled the gap created by the departure of Rafael van der Vaart to Real Madrid, with Dutch international Nigel de Jong a firm anchor in defensive midfield.

In the 25th minute, Hamburg were back in the game when Trochowski whipped in a cross from the right and former Bayern striker Guerrero was left unmarked to head the ball firmly down into the net.

Podolski had a glorious opportunity to put Bayern further ahead but blasted the ball over the bar four minutes after the break, while Hamburg came even closer a minute late when Ivica Olic struck the post.

However the equalizer wasn't long coming. Referee Thorsten Kinhoefer again pointed to the spot for a holding offence when Bayern right-back Christian Lell was adjudged to have tugged at Olic, and Trochowski stepped up to coolly convert from the spot for the 57th-minute equalizer.

Jol said he was pleased with his team's fightback.

"When you are 2-0 behind you can be satisfied with the result," he said. "We should have been in front but were not careful and conceded the first goal. It was disappointing to be 2-0 down but I think the penalty was OK."

The Bundesliga continues with six matches on Saturday and two on Sunday.