St Pauli 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen: Leverkusen's title defense fades after St Pauli draw leaves them eight points behind Bayern Munich

Reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen saw their Bundesliga title defense hopes virtually extinguished following a 1-1 draw against St Pauli on Sunday. The result leaves Xabi Alonso's side trailing league leaders Bayern Munich by eight points with just four matches remaining in the season.

Second-placed Leverkusen, who completed a historic unbeaten domestic double last season, took the lead through Patrik Schick's 33rd-minute header from Alex Grimaldo's free kick - Schick's 18th league goal this campaign. Despite welcoming Germany international Florian Wirtz back to the starting lineup for the first time since his ankle injury in early March, Leverkusen couldn't extend their advantage.

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St Pauli gradually worked their way back into the match and found an equalizer in the 78th minute when goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky spilled a weak free kick, allowing Carlo Boukhalfa to tap in from close range.

"Clearly, mathematically it is not over but we know there are very, very few chances," Alonso told a press conference. "Too many draws this season. That is the reason. Now the gap to Bayern is too big. But we have to be realistic. It is not all over yet. This is not the end of the season yet."

The result comes after Bayern Munich strengthened their grip on the title race with a commanding 4-0 victory over Heidenheim on Saturday. With only 12 points still available, Leverkusen's tally of 64 points from 30 matches appears insufficient to catch Bayern's 72.

Despite the disappointment, Leverkusen extended their remarkable unbeaten away record to 32 consecutive Bundesliga matches. They now sit just one game away from equaling Bayern Munich's all-time league record for road invincibility.

"In the second half St Pauli upped the pressure and we did not find that last pass to score a second goal," Alonso said. "Then we conceded the goal and it is just not enough for us. This is the way it is."

SportsLigue