Spartak salvage 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich

MOSCOW, Nov 22 (Reuters) Radoslav Kovac's second-half strike salvaged a point for Spartak Moscow as they drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich in the Champions League today.

While the draw left Spartak with a slim chance of finishing third in Group B and qualifying for the UEFA Cup, it extended their winless streak to 22 matches, a Champions League record.

The match lacked the usual Champions League intensity, with the German champions already through to the last 16.

The Russians drew first blood when Ukraine international Maxim Kalinichenko wrong-footed Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn with a curling free kick into the bottom far corner from 20 metres in the 16th minute. It was the first goal conceded by the German champions in the Champions League this season.

But Claudio Pizarro quickly restored order, striking twice in the space of 17 minutes to put Bayern 2-1 ahead.

Pizarro, who also scored in the 4-0 thrashing of Spartak in their first meeting in Munich two months ago, equalised in the 22nd minute after a quickly taken corner, flicking a header past Spartak's third-choice keeper Alexei Zuyev.

The Peru striker then beat Zuyev with a 30-metre blast into the top corner in the 39th minute.

INJURED KEEPERS Zuyev, who had no prior Champions League experience, only made the starting line-up after the team's top two keepers, Wojciech Kowalewski and Dmitry Khomich, were ruled out with injuries.

Bayern were also missing French defender Valerien Ismael, Brazil full back Lucio, England midfielder Owen Hargreaves and Germany striker Lukas Podolski through injury while fellow German international Philipp Lahm was rested.

The Germans were content to play it safe after the break but Czech Republic international Kovac secured a point for the home side, hitting the target from close range after a corner in the 72nd minute.

Despite failing to get the three points to secure top spot in their group, Bayern still maintained their record of never losing to Spartak in the Champions League. They have won five of the eight meetings between the two sides with three draws.

Bayern lead the group on 11 points from five matches, five more than second-placed Inter Milan, who were hosting Sporting Lisbon, on five points, later today.

Spartak remain bottom of the group with two points.

Reuters SBA VP0255