Bayern Maintain Eight-point Lead
with Draw at Leverkusen

Leverkusen, 16 Feb (ONA) — Defending
champions Bayer Leverkusen were unable to narrow the gap at the top of the German
Bundesliga as they played out a goalless draw with leaders Bayern Munich.

Second-placed Leverkusen stopped
Bayern from winning 12 consecutive league titles last season when they lifted
the Meisterschale – the championship shield.

But Bayern have returned to the top
of the table and are on course to regain the crown as they held off Xabi
Alonso’s side to maintain an eight-point lead, BBC sports reported.

The visitors were by far the weaker
side, with Leverkusen enjoying the majority of possession and chances while
Bayern failed to register a shot until the 73rd minute.

Harry Kane has scored 21 goals this
season, but the striker had a quiet evening as England manager Thomas Tuchel
watched on in BayArena, heading his only chance over the crossbar.

Leverkusen came agonisingly close in
the first half with Jeremie Frimpong and Nathan Tella hitting the bar within
five minutes of each other.

Tella proved a threat throughout the
game and saw an acrobatic effort drift wide, as well as a header saved off the
line by Hiroki Ito during the second half.

Amine Adli had a chance to win the
game in stoppage time with a close-range strike, but a smart stop from Manuel
Neuer ensured Bayern left with a point.

Having already qualified for the UEFA
Champions League last 16, Leverkusen looked the fresher of the two sides, but
lacked a clinical edge.

Vincent Kompany’s Bayern, meanwhile,
will have to turn their attention back to the Champions League play-offs as
they take a 2-1 lead from the first leg against Celtic into Tuesday’s return
fixture.

— Ends/Khalid