FRANKFURT: Bayern Munich recovered from conceding a record-equalling goal after nine seconds as substitute Robert Lewandowski’s last-minute strike secured a 2-1 Bundesliga victory at Hoffenheim.
Champions Bayern had also been reduced to 10 men after the second-half dismissal of defender Jerome Boateng for two yellow cards.
Bayern were in command throughout and hit the woodwork twice but they needed the speed of winger Douglas Costa and the scoring prowess of Lewandowski to grab the three points.
The Poland striker tapped the ball into the net following a superb run and cut-back from Brazilian Costa after the hosts’ Eugen Polanski had missed a 74th-minute penalty.
Volland’s strike matched the previous fastest Bundesliga goal scored by Bayer Leverkusen’s Karim Bellarabi against Borussia Dortmund last season.
In Holland champions PSV Eindhoven were held to a draw for the second time in three games at the start of the new season as they played out a 1-1 stalemate at Heerenveen.
Luuk de Jong equalised midway through the second half after the hosts had taken the lead through a 55th minute penalty from Caner Cavlan.
The result followed a 2-2 draw at ADO Den Haag in PSV’s opening match and a 2-0 home win over Groningen last week.
Four goals from Oussama Tannane ensured a 6-1 away win for Heracles Almelo at SC Cambuur and the provisional lead in the standings with six points.
In Italy Roma’s bid to end the Juventus stranglehold on Serie A got off to an indifferent start when they came from behind to draw 1-1 at Verona in the opening game of the Serie A season.
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny had an excellent debut for the visitors following his loan move from Arsenal, capped by a brilliant double save.
Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah, who are also on loan, drew a blank on their competitive debuts and it was left to Alessandro Florenzi to snatch a point for Roma who have finished second to Juve for the last two seasons.
“Dzeko was excellent in the first half and had that chance to win it with a header at the end,” said coach Rudi Garcia, starting his third season in charge.
“Dzeko and Salah need time to settle into the side but they’ve already done very well.”
Lazio, third last season, beat promoted Bologna 2-1 in the other game with goals from Argentine midfielder Lucas Biglia and 20-year-old Dutchman Ricardo Kishna, making his debut after his move from Ajax Amsterdam, in the first half hour.
In Spain Atletico Madrid set their La Liga campaign up and running in less than convincing fashion when Antoine Griezmann’s deflected free kick secured an edgy 1-0 win at home to promoted Las Palmas.
Valencia, who like Atletico are hoping to challenge heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid for the title, also failed to shine in their opening game of the season and were held 0-at Rayo Vallecano.
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