Bayern Munich suffered a surprise 3-2 home defeat to Bochum on Saturday, but their title charge remained on track as nearest challengers Bayer Leverkusen also stumbled with a 2-0 loss to Werder Bremen.
Despite slipping to only their second league defeat of the season, Bayern still maintain an eight-point cushion over reigning champions Leverkusen, with just nine matches remaining.
Leverkusen’s disappointment was compounded by an injury to key midfielder Florian Wirtz, who was forced off the pitch limping after a heavy challenge, having played just 14 minutes in the second half.
With their Champions League last-16 second leg against Leverkusen looming on Tuesday, Bayern boss Vincent Kompany opted for a heavily rotated squad, leaving star striker Harry Kane on the bench. However, the Bavarians took the lead in the 14th minute when Raphael Guerreiro pounced on a loose ball and smashed it into the net.
Bayern had the chance to extend their advantage in the 21st minute, but Serge Gnabry squandered a penalty, striking the post—an opportunity that may have fallen to Kane had he been on the pitch. Guerreiro doubled his tally with a rare header in the 28th minute, but Bochum responded swiftly, with Jakov Medic blasting an unstoppable shot past Bayern’s defence just three minutes later.
The match took a dramatic turn before half-time when João Palhinha was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Giorgos Masouras, leaving Bayern down to 10 men. Bochum capitalised on their numerical advantage, with Ibrahima Sissoko nodding in an equaliser six minutes into the second half before Matus Bero completed the turnaround in the 71st minute, finishing off a breakaway move.
The victory marked Bochum’s first win in Munich since 1991 and moved them three points clear of the automatic relegation places.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen failed to take advantage of Bayern’s slip-up, falling behind after just seven minutes when Romano Schmid slotted home from close range.
Struggling to find a breakthrough, Xabi Alonso introduced Wirtz at half-time, hoping for a spark. However, the German playmaker was on the pitch for just eight minutes before suffering a brutal tackle that saw him limp off and later leave the stadium on crutches.
A long-term injury to Wirtz would be a massive blow for Leverkusen, particularly ahead of their crucial Champions League clash with Bayern, who hold a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg.
The defeat was only Leverkusen’s second in 59 Bundesliga matches since May 2023.
In another match, Borussia Dortmund’s slim hopes of a top-four finish took another hit with a 1-0 home defeat to Augsburg. A first-half header from Jeffrey Gouweleeuw proved the difference, as Dortmund struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Augsburg, who have conceded just three league goals in 2025—the best defensive record in Europe this year—stood firm, while Dortmund, last season’s Champions League finalists, remain 10th, seven points adrift of the top four.
Elsewhere, Freiburg held RB Leipzig to a goalless draw, extending their unbeaten defensive run to six games. Leipzig, meanwhile, moved up to sixth, overtaking Wolfsburg.
St Pauli finally ended their five-match goal drought in a 1-1 draw against Wolfsburg, edging two points clear of the relegation playoff spot. Fellow promoted side Holstein Kiel also secured a crucial point, battling to a 2-2 draw at home against Stuttgart.