Leverkusen stalemate as Bayern cut gap in Bundesliga title race

BERLIN: Bayer Leverkusen’s lead over injury-ravaged Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga was reduced to two points after they were held to a goalless draw at home against Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday.

Although Xabi Alonso’s club had begun the day with a four-point lead, Leverkusen, the only unbeaten team in Germany’s top division, was under pressure following Bayern’s 3-2 victory against Augsburg earlier in the afternoon.

Despite controlling 75% of the ball, the hosts were unable to breach.

The Dutchman Jeremie Frimpong had the best opportunities of the game, but he wasted them as Leverkusen struggled without their injured star player Victor Boniface, whose 10 goals in 16 league games had led Leverkusen’s title chase.

“Gladbach was incredibly little. Today, they were very energetic and positive,” Leverkusen coach Alonso said to Sky Sport Germany.

We felt like we could score, but we were unable to do so. We must concede the point. On February 10, Leverkusen will play Bayern in a crucial match.

With Jurgen Klopp’s unexpected decision to leave Liverpool at the conclusion of the season, Alonso, who has led the team into a title race they weren’t expecting at the beginning of the season, has been highly linked to take over as Liverpool coach.

Before Saturday’s match, Alonso, who won the Champions League in 2005 while playing for Liverpool, was questioned once more on Klopp’s choice.