Title hopes are fading: Bayer only draw in Hamburg

Lukas Hradecky was brilliant last season, as was the entire Bayer Leverkusen team, crowned by the title and the stat that the Finnish goalkeeper managed to keep a clean sheet 15 times. This season, however, it's not quite what it should be. Somewhat expected, as no one really believed Leverkusen could repeat such a feat — it would be unrealistic. Today, they faced St. Pauli, a team with almost no motivation to play, since their survival is practically secured. But it was far from a walkover for Xabi Alonso’s men. The hosts stood their ground, determined at the very least to put on a show for the fans, who once again packed the Millerntor Stadium to the last seat — as they have done all season. And they rewarded the faithful with a great performance, playing as if they were chasing European qualification, not sitting in the lower part of the table. In the end, they were gifted a result by Lukas Hradecky.

Kane scores and gets closer to his first ever trophy

The Leverkusen captain made a catastrophic error after a free-kick shot by Danel Sinani — the rebound slipped through his legs and into the net. This came after Patrik Schick had scored the opener for the visitors. This outcome brings the most joy to Bayern. The Bavarians are now in a perfect position to seal the title in the next round with a win. For that, they can thank St. Pauli’s incredible resilience, but also Hradecky’s rare blunder, which cost Leverkusen dearly and unexpectedly left them without the full three points — which had seemed all but secured. That was clear from the visitors’ body language, as if they’d already chalked up the win.

But that mindset is exactly what cost them the victory. Even though they launched attacks after conceding — with good chances falling to Alex Grimaldo and Piero Hincapie — the ball just wouldn't go in. To be fair, they didn’t deserve to win. They tried to coast through the match, expecting the opponent to collapse — especially after a goal was disallowed due to Morgan Guilavogui’s handball. But deserved punishment came swiftly, and the humble St. Pauli was rewarded — just as Leverkusen had been last season.

BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 30

Saturday

Freiburg - Hoffenheim 3-2 (2-2)

/Doan 36, Holer 28, 57 - Butler 45+2, Kramaric 45+5/

Heidenheim - Bayern 0-4 (0-3)

/Kane 12, Laimer 19, Koman 36, Kimmich 56/

Mainz - Wolfsburg 2-2 (2-1)

/Lee 34, Kohr 40 - Arnold 3, Vavro 89/

RB Leipzig - Holstein Kiel 1-1 (0-1)

/Sesko (p) 74 - Machino 44/

Werder - Bochum 1-0 (0-0)

/Weiser 80/

Union Berlin - Stuttgart 4-4 (4-4)

/Leite 19, Querfeld 38, Ilic 45+6, 5 - Undav 23, Millot 29, Chabot 43, Fuhrich 45+1/

Sunday

Augsburg - Eintr.Frankfurt 0-0

Dortmund - M' gladbach 3-2 (3-1)

/Guirassy 41, Nmecha 44, Svenssson 45+4 - Itakura 24, Stroger (p) 56/

St.Pauli - Leverkusen 1-1 (0-1)

/Boukhalfa 77 - Schick 32/