Under-fire Kovac rages as Bayern are pegged back by Dusseldorf

Under-fire Kovac rages as Bayern are pegged back by Dusseldorf

Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac declared himself “very angry” after his side squandered a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 against Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Bayern appeared on course for a much-needed three points when Thomas Muller slotted the ball in from outside the area to make it 3-1 in the second half, but a last-gasp equaliser from Dodi Lukebakio to complete his hat-trick ensured the points were shared.

Under-fire Kovac has seen his side fail to win at home in the league since September 15 and this latest setback will only turn up the heat on him yet further.

He said on the club website: “You can imagine how I feel.

“I don’t know if there’s a stronger word than angry. Considering we were in control and in the lead for long spells again, I’m not at all happy, but very angry.”

Kovac was furious with his side’s defending for the three goals they conceded.

He said: “I just can’t understand we didn’t take the chances we created. But the way we defended in the case of all three goals we conceded was much worse. Then it doesn’t matter if we’re facing a promoted team or a Champions League side. If you make mistakes like these you get punished.”

Bayern captain Manuel Neuer said the team were their own “harshest critics”.

“We mustn’t allow that. We’re bitterly disappointed with ourselves, but we have to accept it. We always question ourselves, we always want to do our best,” he said.

Dusseldorf coach Friedhelm Funkel said a point in Munich felt like victory for his struggling side.

“Of course I am extremely happy that we were able to equalise almost at the final whistle,” he said.

“The key was we weren’t knocked out of our stride by the two-goal deficit, we continued to be compact.

“If Bayern had scored a fourth goal it would have probably been over. The plan was for Lukebakio to create some chances with his pace.

“It took a bit of luck for it to work out so well, that he scored three goals today. It feels like a victory if you take a point away from Munich.”

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