BERLIN: Bayern Munich’s title aspirations suffered a blow yesteray as relegation-threatened Cologne hit back from 2-0 down to inflict a 3-2 defeat on the defending champions.
Bayern were cruising after first-half goals by Germany striker Mario Gomez, his 16th in 19 league matches, and Turkey midfielder Hamit Altintop.
Gomez became the league’s top-scorer after he latched onto a diagonal pass from Thomas Mueller to beat ex-Bayern goalkeeper Michael Rensing on 22 minutes, with Altintop doubling their lead moments before the half-time break.
But Cologne, deep in the fight to avoid relegation, refused to go down without a fight.
They pulled a goal back through midfielder Christian Clemens on 55 minutes, then equalised when Slovenian striker Milivoje Novakovic headed home seven minutes later.
Novakovic produced a superb solo effort for his second, his seventh goal in 15 league games, when he slotted home on 73 minutes to send the home fans into ecstasy at Cologne’s Rhein Energie Stadium.
A win in Cologne would have put Bayern second as Leverkusen lost 1-0 at ten-man Nuremberg, but the defeat leaves Bayern fifth and 15 points behind league leaders Dortmund.
Cologne remain in the bottom three despite their heroics.
Germany veteran Michael Ballack meanwhile was left fuming after being substituted in the second half of Bayer Leverkusen’s defeat at Nuremberg, 24 hours after being left out of the national squad for next week’s friendly against Italy.
The 34-year-old has not played for Germany since March 2010 and this was only his second start after four months out with a fractured leg as his side lost, but stay second in the table.
Leaders Dortmund stay 12 points clear at the top of the table after being held to a goalless draw by Schalke on Friday.
Hanover are fourth and stayed in the fight for a European place for next season with a 1-0 win at Steve McClaren’s Wolfsburg.
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