Bayern stay on track for title with 'lucky' Leverkusen stalemate

A dogged defensive performance from Bayern Munich kept a dominant Bayer Leverkusen at bay in a 0-0 away draw on Saturday which preserved their eight-point lead on top of the German Bundesliga.

The result, just the fifth time Bayern have dropped points in 22 league games this season, keeps them firmly on track to win back the title from Leverkusen with 12 games remaining.

Calling the draw "lucky", Bayern captain Manuel Neuer said "we're satisfied with the result, let's say it like that."

Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso insisted the "season is not over yet".

"We did everything, other than scoring a goal. For the table, it wasn't enough," he added.

Leverkusen dominated the opening half but were unable to convert several chances, with Alonso electing to leave both strikers Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface on the bench.

Jeremie Frimpong headed against the bar 21 minutes in after some clever work from Florian Wirtz down the left.

Nathan Tella, scorer of the winner between these two sides in the German Cup in December, blasted against the bar from close range when one-on-one with Neuer four minutes later.

Neuer was almost caught out on the 33rd-minute mark when he ventured out of the penalty area, but Wirtz's long-range effort from deep curled just wide.

Leverkusen again dominated the ball in the second half but could not find a way through.

Wirtz had a chance in the final minute to snatch a win, but his close-range effort went centimetres wide of the post.