Soccer Football - Bundesliga - 1. FC Heidenheim v Bayern Munich - Voith-Arena, Heidenheim, Germany - April 6, 2024 Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, Joshua Kimmich and teammates look dejected after the match REUTERS/Leonhard Simon
HEIDENHEIM, Germany (Reuters) -Bayern Munich squandered a two-goal lead to slump to a shock 3-2 loss at Heidenheim on Saturday that all but dashed the Bavarians' slim Bundesliga title hopes with six games left to play.
Tim Kleindienst completed a memorable comeback for the hosts in the 79th minute after they had struck twice in two minutes early in the second half, leaving Bayern 16 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who can seal their first title after next week's matches.
The Bavarians, who take on Arsenal next week in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, have now lost their last two league matches with embattled coach Thomas Tuchel set to leave at the end of the season.
Despite the loss club bosses said after the game that Tuchel would be in charge next week against Arsenal.
They are second on 60 points, with Bayer Leverkusen on 76. Third-placed VfB Stuttgart joined Bayern on 60 following their 1-0 win at Borussia Dortmund, who dropped to fifth.
"In 10-15 minutes in the second half we gave away everything we had built up until that point," Bayern's Tuchel told a press conference. "We had chances to turn the game again. But then we conceded a goal way too easily."
"I can't explain it. Obviously we struggle to keep our concentration on a high level. It is difficult to explain. I can describe it but it is difficult to explain," he said.
There was more bad news for Tuchel, who was booked himself and will now be suspended for next week's home game against Cologne.
Bayern, winners of the last 11 consecutive league titles looked to be cruising to a comfortable win after first half goals from Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry. Tuchel had demanded a reaction following last week's loss to Borussia Dortmund.
But the hosts struck back with two goals in two minutes --from Kevin Sessa and Kleindienst -- to stun Bayern.
Heidenheim comfortably held off any Bayern attack and gradually built up pressure. They were rewarded when Kleindienst completed a counter attack for the club's most memorable win.
Heidenheim - the first newly promoted club in Bundesliga history to beat Bayern after coming from two goals behind - are 10th in the table with 33 points.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Pritha Sarkar and Hugh Lawson)
