BERLIN, Germany -- Luca Toni's missed penalty proved costly for German league leaders Bayern Munich, who had to settle for a point in a 1-1 home draw against Werder Bremen.
Toni's penalty miss cost leaders Bayern two precious points.
Bayern are still three points clear of the chasing pack but general manager Uli Hoeness said: "We had the better of the play and could have taken a 2-1 lead."
Bremen went ahead through in-form midfielder Diego's sixth minute strike and Brazilian midfielder Ze Roberto leveled before the break for Bayern, who are chasing their 21st championship crown.
Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf was disappointed at what he believed was a missed chance to break the league leaders' domination after his side lost their two previous games.
"I am satisfied, because we kept working and tried again and again to bring our forwards into the game," said Schaaf.
" We must be calmer and more patient in our build up."
Bayern's supremacy will be put to the test in the coming three weekends when they face title rivals Hanover, Hamburg and Schalke 04.
Brazilian Diego, who ruled out a switch to Juventus on Saturday despite reports from Italy stating he was interested in moving, shrugged off two defenders and beat Oliver Kahn.
But compatriot Ze Roberto put Bayern level just after the half-hour mark when he fire in from eight meters.
Moments earlier Italian striker Toni missed a penalty which would have made him the league's leading scorer.
Schalke moved up to third after midfielder Fabian Ernst hit a late winner at Borussia Dortmund to seal a 3-2 victory.
Former Germany international Gerald Asamoah put his side ahead after 19 minutes, but Dortmund hit back just two minutes later through Giovanni Federico.
Schalke regained the lead when Asamoah's free-kick deflected off Martin Amedick after 30 minutes, but it was 2-2 when Brazilian midfielder Tinga broke from his own half, and found Swiss captain Alexander Frei whose cross was headed home by Croatian midfielder Mladen Petric for his ninth goal of the season.
Ernst settled matters with eight minutes left. E-mail to a friend 
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