AFP – Bayer Leverkusen are just three points from a first Bundesliga title after a 1-0 win at Union Berlin on Saturday, with Bayern Munich letting a two-goal lead slip in a 3-2 loss at Heidenheim.
Bayern were cruising at half-time thanks to strikes from Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry but conceded three times in the second half, losing their second match in a row.
Florian Wirtz converted a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time as Leverkusen were made to work hard in the German capital against 10-man Union, extending their unbeaten run this season to 41 games.
Xabi Alonso’s side need just three points from their remaining six matches to clinch the club’s first league title.
Bayern, on a streak of 11 straight Bundesliga titles, could relinquish their crown next week in between the first and second legs of their Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal.
Union did their best to hold on despite Leverkusen’s relentless pressure but gave way just before half-time, Germany defender Robin Gosens picking up a second yellow for a desperation tackle on Nathan Tella near the penalty box.
After some chaotic scenes from the ensuing free-kick the ball connected with the arm of Union captain Christopher Trimmel, giving Leverkusen a penalty after a long VAR review.
Wirtz calmly dispatched the penalty, his third goal in his past two games.
Late in the second half word filtered through to the visiting fans that Bayern were trailing at Heidenheim, sending them into raptures.
“Of course the situation is super but we don’t want to celebrate yet,” said Alonso.
“We can maybe celebrate something next Sunday. Before that there’s a Europa League game (at home against West Ham).
“Nothing is settled yet and we need to wait a little.”
BAYERN DRASTICALLY PUNISHED
Bayern looked in fine form early on, despite missing several injured first teamers including captain Manuel Neuer, Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman, with coach Thomas Tuchel taking a cautious approach with tomorrow night’s Champions League trip to Arsenal in mind.
The ever-reliable Kane, yet to miss a league match this campaign, opened the scoring, scrambling in a Gnabry assist after 38 minutes.
Gnabry seemingly had Bayern on track for a simple victory when he scored just before the break, but the hosts turned the match around early in the second half.
Kevin Sessa and Tim Kleindienst both scored inside the space of 90 seconds to level the scores and stun the visitors.
Kleindienst struck again with 11 minutes remaining to snatch victory in their first home match against Bayern, a goal celebrated 460 kilometres away in Leverkusen.
“We were drastically punished for not keeping our energy,” Tuchel said.
“The manner in which we lost today was too easy. Congratulations to Heidenheim. They turned the game on its head.”
In Saturday’s late game, Stuttgart won 1-0 at Borussia Dortmund to draw level with second-placed Bayern on 60 points.
