Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez (L) vies with Stuttgart's Santiago Ascacibar during a German Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Munich, in Stuttgart, Germany, on Dec. 16, 2017. Bayern Munich won 1-0. (Xinhua/Philippe Ruiz)
BERLIN, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Schalke rallied back from two goals down to snatch a two-all draw owing to Naldo's late equalizer meanwhile Thomas Mueller helped Bayern Munich to carve out a 1-0 victory over Stuttgart in the 17th round of Bundesliga on Saturday.
The "Royal Blues" have extended their unbeaten run to eleven games as Naldo's last-grasp leveller ensured a 2-2 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.
It was a stiff piece of work for the hosts as the "Eagles" grabbed a bright start into the game after Mijat Gacinovic's build up work and pass, allowed Luka Jovic to break the deadlock with only 60 seconds played.
As the match progressed, Schalke assumed control of the proceedings on the pitch. Nevertheless, with the start of the second half the hosts were caught flat-footed again as Gacinovic forced a turnover to set up for Sebastien Haller, who finished off the 2-0 lead with his back heel in the 66th minute.
Schalke increased the pressure and came close through Matija Nastasic, whose dangerous free kick missed the target just wide, before substitute Breel Embolo pulled one back after making use of Guido Burgstaller's cross in the 82nd minute.
It looked like Frankfurt would hijack three points from Schalke but the hosts had an ace in the hole as Naldo slotted home the equalizer with the last action of the game to shock the "Eagles".
With the draw, Schalke remain on the second place whereas Frankfurt slipped to the 7th position of the standings.
Bayern Munich recorded their fourth straight victory after moving 1-0 past newly promoted Stuttgart, who squandered a penalty in the dying seconds of the match.
Stuttgart started highly motivated into the encounter against the German giants. The hosts disrupted Bayern's rhythm and came to chances through Chadrac Akolo in the opening stages.
Bayern needed time to gain a foothold into the game but still Robert Lewandowski had a promising chance to open the scoring with 21 minutes played but goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler defused the striker's effort.
Stuttgart's goalkeeper remained in the thick of things as he denied Corentin Tolisso an effort from the edge of the box with 37 minutes.
After the restart, Bayern gained momentum and pressed Stuttgart into the defence. Hence, Kingsley Coman, Lewandowski and James Rodriguez tested Zieler.
However, Stuttgart's goalkeeper was hapless in the 79th minute when substitute Thomas Mueller capitalized on a pass from Coman to break the deadlock from inside the box.
The "Swabians" had the golden chance to secure a 1-1 draw in the dying seconds of the game but Bayern goalie Sven Ulreich saved Chadrac Akolo' s foul play penalty.
With the result, Bayern remain atop the Bundesliga table and established an 11-point advantage meanwhile Stuttgart continue on the 14th place.
Elsewhere, last placed Cologne secured their first three points of the season after beating Wolfsburg on the sole goal from Christian Clemens.
Augsburg secured one point on home soil as Alfred Finnbogason provided a brace to ensure a 3-3 draw against Freiburg.
Werder Bremen were held by Mainz 2-2 after wasting a two-goal lead and Dortmund came from behind to down Hoffenheim 2-1.
The following fixtures complete the 17th round on Sunday: newly promoted Hannover face Bayer Leverkusen and Leipzig take on Hertha Berlin.
