Robert Andrich’s decisive first-half effort handed Bayer Leverkusen a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, a result that could further smooth Bayern Munich’s path to a record-extending 35th Bundesliga crown.
With Bayern set to face FC St. Pauli later in the day, a win would stretch their lead at the top to 12 points with just five matches left in the season.
Leverkusen’s win was significant, as they became only the second side to defeat Borussia Dortmund in the league this term.
The result also lifted them to within a point of fourth-placed VfB Stuttgart. Despite the setback, Dortmund remain eight points clear in second, although their four-game winning run came to an end.
There was tension in the stands for Nico Schlotterbeck, who was jeered by sections of the home crowd just a day after signing a contract extension until 2031, amid speculation about a potential summer release clause.
Under coach Niko Kovac, Dortmund have typically been cautious this season, but they started brightly and showed attacking intent early on.
However, it was Leverkusen who struck, as Andrich intercepted a loose pass from Ramy Bensebaini before firing a low drive past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Dortmund pushed for an equaliser late on, coming closest when Serhou Guirassy rattled the underside of the crossbar after linking up with Carney Chukwuemeka.
Elsewhere, RB Leipzig boosted their Champions League hopes with a narrow 1-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach, thanks to a late strike from Yan Diomande.
The victory moved Leipzig three points clear in third, ahead of Stuttgart, who face Hamburger SV on Sunday.
Diomande’s goal also underlined his standout debut season, taking his tally to 11 goals and seven assists.
At the other end of the table, VfL Wolfsburg slipped deeper into trouble following a 2-1 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Goals from Oscar Højlund and Arnaud Kalimuendo condemned Wolfsburg to another setback, leaving them second from bottom and six points adrift of safety after winning just once in 14 matches this year.
Meanwhile, bottom-placed 1. FC Heidenheim kept their survival hopes flickering with a 3-1 victory over Union Berlin.
It was their first win since early December, lifting them to within two points of Wolfsburg and eight points from 1. FC Köln in the battle to avoid relegation.
