Bayer Leverkusen defensive midfielder Robert Andrich scored a clinical goal in the first half to give the club a hard-fought 1-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
The result not only ended Dortmund’s four-game winning streak but also significantly smoothed the path for Bayern Munich.
With a potential win later today against St Pauli, Bayern could extend their lead at the top to 12 points with only five matches left in the season, bringing them closer to a record 35th Bundesliga title.
The match’s decisive moment came when Andrich intercepted a pass from Ramy Bensebaini and fired a low strike past Gregor Kobel.
Despite an uncharacteristically fluid attacking performance from Niko Kovac’s Dortmund side, they struggled to find an equaliser.
Their closest opportunity came late in the game when Serhou Guirassy’s effort rattled the underside of the crossbar.

Meanwhile, Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck faced a cold reception from home fans following rumours of a release clause in his newly extended contract.
In other Bundesliga action, RB Leipzig strengthened their grip on a top-four spot with a 1-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach, courtesy of a late goal from teenage sensation Yan Diomande.
At the bottom of the table, the relegation battle intensified as Wolfsburg’s 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt left them six points adrift of safety.
However, last-placed Heidenheim managed to keep their survival hopes alive by defeating Union Berlin 3-1, marking their first league win in four months.
Trending 