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Schalke Hold Bayern on Alonso’s Debut for Bundesliga Champions

Schalke captain Benedikt Hoewedes equalized to give his side a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday, denying Xabi Alonso a win on his debut for the German champions.

World Cup winner Hoewedes bundled the ball over the line in the 62nd minute as Alonso’s desperate attempt to clear came back off the Schalke defender’s left arm.

Referee Marco Fritz felt the contact was unintentional and the goal was given despite Bayern protests.

“It wouldn’t have been a goal if his arm wasn’t there,” said goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who conceded for the first time against his former club since switching sides in 2011.

Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring in the 10th after carving open the Schalke defense with Sebastian Rode.

Ralf Faehrmann had already made crucial saves from Thomas Mueller and Lewandowski before the Polish striker scored.

The 32-year-old Alonso, who joined from Real Madrid the day before, impressed as Bayern dominated early on but Schalke gradually improved and finished the game strongly.

In another Bundesliga fixture on Saturday, Bayer Leverkusen twice came from behind to defeat Hertha Berlin 4-2 to maintain their winning start, while newly promoted Paderborn claimed its first ever win in the Bundesliga.

Paderborn won 3-0 at Hamburger SV with goals from Elias Kachunga, Mario Vrancic and Moritz Stoppelkamp.

Wolfsburg drew with Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2, Werder Bremen drew 1-1 with Hoffenheim and Cologne won 2-0 at Stuttgart.