Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Union Berlin: Die Werkself's Bundesliga title hopes dented after frustrating draw against visitors

Bayer Leverkusen’s pursuit of back-to-back Bundesliga titles suffered a significant blow as they were held to a goalless draw by Union Berlin on Saturday. The reigning champions failed to break through a resilient Union defence, leaving them five points behind league leaders Bayern Munich with just five matches remaining.

Leverkusen, who claimed both the Bundesliga and German Cup titles last season, welcomed the return of star midfielder Florian Wirtz from injury. Despite his introduction just before the hour mark, the hosts struggled to generate clear chances and lacked the sharpness needed in the final third.

“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,” head coach Xabi Alonso admitted during the post-match press conference. “It (the title race) is not finished yet and we need to keep going. We will have a clearer answer in three hours (after the Bayern v Dortmund match). Now it is more difficult and we will have to wait. We had a chance today and missed it. Now it's five points. The feeling is not euphoric. We have to accept it.”

Despite controlling large spells of the first half, Leverkusen’s attacking play was stifled by a disciplined Union Berlin setup. The visitors nearly stole all three points when Benedict Hollerbach found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky in the 73rd minute, but his tame chip was easily saved.

Leverkusen pushed hard in the closing stages, with Jonathan Tah coming closest to a winner deep into stoppage time, but the breakthrough never arrived. With the result, Leverkusen sit on 63 points, while Bayern Munich—who face Borussia Dortmund later in the day—remain ahead on 68, tightening their grip on the Bundesliga title race.

SportsLigue