Bayern Munich came inches away from a fourth defeat of the Bundesliga season as they fought to a goalless draw with Hamburg at the Imtech Arena.

Jonathan Pitroipa hit the ball against the woodwork with just 10 minutes left in the match much to the relief of the Bayern players. The reigning German champions have been struggling since the start of their domestic campaign and have now won just three of their nine Bundesliga outings to date.

The hosts had the first chance of the evening when Paolo Guerrero picked up a loose clearance and fired his shot just wide of the far post. Bayern, who beat FC Cluj in midweek UEFA Champions League action, hit back after 15 minutes when Thomas Muller forced Frank Rost into a fingertip save with a 25-yard drive.

We have to be satisfied with this point as Hamburg could have won. Everything is possible but we must start racking up more points.
Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm.

Visiting goalkeeper Jorg Butt was also in action five minutes later, smothering Tomas Rincon's low shot before Bayern pair Hamit Altintop and Toni Kroos both failed to hit the target with decent chances.

Marcell Jansen had the first chance of the second period but his goalbound shot took a deflection and snaked wide. Philipp Lahm and Rincon traded unsuccessful efforts around the hour mark but neither side had the necessary craft to crack the opposition defence. Hamburg's Piotr Trochowski missed a perfect opportunity to clutch a win while one on one with Butt, but his effort proved weak.

With 80 minutes gone Pitroipa produced a fine break from nothing and, having slotted his right-footed effort beyond the diving Butt, saw a scorching shot ricochet off the post.

"We have to be satisfied with this point as Hamburg could have won. Everything is possible but we must start racking up more points," said Bayern defender Philipp Lahm after the match.