Play all audios:
Bayern Munich's recent struggles continued as Ajax held them to a 1-1 draw in their Champions League Group E clash on Tuesday. After winning their opening seven games of the season
under new coach Niko Kovac, the Bundesliga champions had picked up just one point in their last two games against Augsburg and Hertha Berlin before the Dutch side's visit to the Allianz
Arena. They looked like they would get back on track when Mats Hummels' fourth-minute header put them ahead, but Erik ten Hag's youthful side bounced back in style, levelling
midway through the half thanks to Noussair Mazraoui's fine strike. You may like Substitute James Rodriguez came closest to finding an undeserved winner for Bayern in the second period,
while Donny van de Beek will be left to rue a golden opportunity 20 minutes from time for Ajax when he fired wide with only Manuel Neuer to beat. Andre Onana kept out Arjen Robben's
whipped effort in the opening exchanges, but was helpless to stop Hummels' unmarked header from the Dutchman's precise cross shortly afterwards. Ajax responded well to that early
setback, though, with Dusan Tadic firing over from eight yards and Hakim Ziyech testing Neuer from distance in quick succession. Their renewed confidence paid dividends in the 22nd minute
when Mazraoui played a smart one-two with Tadic before drilling past Neuer from 12 yards for his first Ajax goal. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every
week. The visitors were dominant for the remainder of the opening period and were only denied a half-time lead when Neuer parried over Ziyech's powerful 30-yard drive. Tadic wasted
another wonderful opportunity moments after the restart, scuffing a close-range effort from David Neres' cross, while Nicolas Tagliafico's low drive was kept out by Neuer. Hummels
was denied what looked a clear penalty after being clattered by Onana just before the hour mark before Van de Beek steered agonisingly wide. Onana did wonderfully to tip James' scuffed
effort wide late on, while Ajax almost secured the win their performance deserved in stoppage time, but Neuer tipped Lasse Schone's fizzing free-kick onto the crossbar. WHAT DOES IT
MEAN: BAYERN WITH WORK TO DO The Bundesliga champions were expected to qualify from Group E at a canter, but they are not going to have it all their own way. Benfica's win over AEK
Athens puts them a point behind the Bavarian giants and Ajax, who both have four. Kovac's side are going to need a significant improvement if they are to make the knockout stages. DE
LIGT LIGHTS UP ALLIANZ ARENA It is hard to believe the 19-year-old was making his Champions League debut. He was imperious at the heart of Ajax's defence and scarcely gave Robert
Lewandowski a kick. LEWANDOWSKI LOOKED LOST The Polish striker was praised by Kovac recently for his response after a proposed move to Real Madrid failed to materialise. He looked a shadow
of his former self against Ajax, though, posing no goal threat at all in what was a limp display. WHAT'S NEXT? Bayern will be hoping to return to winning ways in the Bundesliga on
Saturday when Borussia Monchengladbach visit the Allianz Arena, while Ajax host AZ in the Eredivisie the following day.