Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title hopes fade after draw with Union Berlin

Leverkusen drop points at home as Union Berlin extend unbeaten run and Bayern prepare to face Dortmund.

Union Berlin defender Leopold Querfeld and Bayer Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayer Leverkusen and Union Berlin in Leverkusen, western Germany, on April 12, 2025. Photo by Ina Fassbender/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title hopes took another hit on Saturday as they were held to a goalless draw by Union Berlin at home, a result that further dents their chances of catching league leaders Bayern Munich. The draw was a frustrating outcome for a Leverkusen side that could have narrowed the gap to just three points had they secured a win. Instead, Bayern now have the chance to go eight points clear with just five games remaining, if they win against Borussia Dortmund in the Der Klassiker later in the day.

The clash at the BayArena was expected to reignite Leverkusen’s title push, especially with the return of star midfielder Florian Wirtz from a foot injury. But even his presence couldn’t break down a determined Union Berlin defence. Xabi Alonso’s side lacked sharpness in the final third and created few clear-cut chances across the ninety minutes. Union, meanwhile, were organized, resilient, and nearly stunned the home side early on when Andrej Ilic found the net — only to see the goal ruled out for offside.

Lack of firepower leaves Leverkusen frustrated

The draw reflected a broader issue Leverkusen have faced in recent weeks: a lack of cutting edge in front of goal. Despite boasting one of the most talented midfields in the Bundesliga and playing an expansive brand of football under Alonso, the team has not been able to convert possession into goals consistently.

Florian Wirtz, who was reintroduced in the 57th minute, brought some energy and creativity upon his arrival, but it wasn’t enough to change the course of the match. Granit Xhaka had a chance to snatch a late winner with a stoppage-time free kick, but his effort flew over the crossbar, summing up Leverkusen’s misfiring afternoon.

Captain Lukas Hradecky admitted after the game that the team’s inability to collect points at home is proving costly. “We’re dropping too many points at home,” said Hradecky. “Mathematically there's a small chance (of defending the title), but the probability has decreased.”

Bayern set to pull away in Bundesliga title race

While Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title hopes remain mathematically alive, the momentum has shifted heavily in Bayern Munich’s favour. The defending champions are poised to extend their lead at the top when they take on Borussia Dortmund in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season. A win for Bayern would stretch their lead to eight points, making it extremely difficult for any challengers, including Leverkusen, to close the gap in the final stretch of the season.

This latest setback compounds what has been a difficult April for Leverkusen. Having already been knocked out of the German Cup by third-tier Arminia Bielefeld, Alonso’s men are now winless in their last three games across all competitions. The collapse in form is a stark contrast to their unbeaten run last season when they captured a historic domestic double.

Union Berlin’s resurgence continues

For Union Berlin, the draw was another encouraging result in a remarkable turnaround. From fighting relegation earlier this year to now sitting 12 points above the drop zone, Union have taken 11 points from their last five matches — all against top-tier opposition.

Their recent unbeaten run includes matches against Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, Freiburg, and Wolfsburg. This string of results has helped them climb out of the danger zone and look set for another season in the Bundesliga. The Berliners defended resolutely against Leverkusen and looked dangerous on the counter-attack, even if clear chances were limited.

The result not only adds frustration to Leverkusen’s title aspirations but also solidifies Union’s reputation as a disciplined side capable of grinding out results against anyone.

Around the Bundesliga: Freiburg stun Gladbach, Augsburg surge continues

While Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga title hopes wane, other clubs in Germany's top flight are finding momentum at a crucial point in the campaign. Borussia Moenchengladbach, who were chasing a return to the Champions League, suffered a setback with a dramatic 2-1 home loss to Freiburg.

Gladbach struck first through an own goal by Freiburg captain Christian Guenter after 14 minutes. But Freiburg immediately equalized via a header from Patrick Osterhage, and Johan Manzambi completed the comeback with a last-minute winner. The victory allowed Freiburg to leapfrog Gladbach into sixth place, keeping their European ambitions alive.

Augsburg, meanwhile, are one of the Bundesliga’s form teams in 2025. A 2-1 win at struggling Bochum continued their remarkable run of just one defeat in 13 matches. The win lifted them above Dortmund into eighth place and within striking distance of a European spot.

In another key result, Hoffenheim secured a 2-0 home win over Mainz, with veteran forward Andrej Kramaric netting twice. The win moved Hoffenheim eight points clear of the relegation zone, while Mainz missed a big opportunity to jump into third place. Having survived a relegation scrap last season, Mainz were hoping to cement themselves as top-four contenders but now risk falling behind in the race for Champions League qualification.

Promoted clubs battle for Bundesliga survival

Elsewhere, St Pauli kept their survival hopes alive with a crucial 2-1 victory over fellow promoted side Holstein Kiel. It was a tense encounter, but St Pauli showed more composure in front of goal and earned three vital points that could define their season. With five games to go, the race for survival among the Bundesliga’s bottom teams is heating up.

St Pauli’s win, combined with Union Berlin’s draw and Hoffenheim’s resurgence, suggests that this year’s relegation battle may go down to the final weekend. Just a few months ago, several teams looked destined for the drop. Now, momentum is shifting and the table remains tight.

What lies ahead for Leverkusen?

Leverkusen’s season isn’t over yet, but the dream of a successful Bundesliga title defence is slipping away. Their focus may now shift to securing Champions League qualification and finishing the season on a strong note. With fixtures still remaining against mid-table opponents, Alonso’s squad must rediscover the sharpness that defined them last season.

Florian Wirtz’s return is a positive sign, but it will take more than one star performance to turn things around. The entire team needs to step up if they hope to keep pace with Bayern and avoid a disappointing end to the campaign.

Whether they can rescue something from what was once a promising title challenge will depend on their response in the coming weeks. For now, the disappointment of another two dropped points at home casts a long shadow over their Bundesliga aspirations.