FRANKFURT: Two goals from Robert Lewandowski earned champions Bayern Munich a 2-2 draw with Hertha Berlin at the start of the German Bundesliga’s new campaign.

Visitors Hertha grabbed a point on goals from Dodi Lukebakio and Marko Grujic.

Bayern twice went close early on through Thomas Muller and went ahead in the 23rd minute through Lewandowski on an assist from Serge Gnabry.

Hertha surprised the record champions in the 35th minute after Lukebakio’s deflected shot wrong-footed beat Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Three minutes later Grujic put Hertha ahead only for Bayern to level, with the help of VAR, after Grujic conceded  penalty with a foul on Lewandowski. The striker made no mistake from the spot.

In Spain . . .

Athletic Club Bilbao’s veteran striker Aritz Aduriz scored a spectacular late goal to give his side a 1-0 home win over champions Barcelona in the first game of the LaLiga season.

The 38-year-old, who announced a week ago that he would retire at the end of the season, beat Marc Andre Ter Stegen with a scissors kick following a cross from Ander Capa.

Barcelona were without injured Leo Messi and rested Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic on the bench. Frankie de Jong made his Barca debut along with Antoine Griezmann.

A further blow for Barcelona was the loss of Luis Suarez in the first half with calf muscle injury.

** Barcelona have reportedly given up interest in buying back Brazilian forward Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain after midfielder Philippe Coutinho refused to move to France in part-exchange. Coutinho is now favourite to join Bayern Munich.

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