Reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen laboured to a 0-0 draw in opposition to visiting Union Berlin on Saturday as their Bundesliga title hopes pale with 5 matches left to play.
Second-placed Leverkusen, final season’s home league and Cup winners, had attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz again from damage however couldn’t rating and now have 63 factors.
Bayern Munich, who host Borussia Dortmund in a while Saturday, are high on 68.
Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen staff, who 10 days in the past have been eradicated within the German Cup semi-finals by third-tier Arminia Bielefeld, did have management within the first half however not often created possibilities in opposition to a disciplined Union defence.
Even after Wirtz got here on simply earlier than the hour mark on his comeback from an ankle damage, the hosts struggled to threaten.
“For us it was just not good enough. We were missing energy, especially in the last third of the pitch. We did not create chances,” Alonso instructed a press convention.
“It (the title race) is not finished yet and we need to keep going,” he stated. “We can have a clearer reply in three hours (after the Bayern v Dortmund match). Now it’s tougher and we should wait.
“We had a chance today and missed it. Now it’s five points. The feeling is not euphoric. We have to accept it.”
Union’s Benedict Hollerbach ought to have achieved higher when he was in entrance of aim within the 73rd minute with solely Lukas Hradecky to beat however his weak chip went straight into the keeper’s arms.
Despite late stress and a golden probability for Jonathan Tah in stoppage time, Leverkusen couldn’t discover a trademark last-gasp winner and dropped invaluable factors within the title race.
Source: www.anews.com.tr