'It's all over': Bayern defeat sends Leverkusen 13 points clear

blog

Leverkusen, Apr.1: Bayern Munich lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, their first home "Der Klassiker" loss in a decade, allowing Bayer Leverkusen, who came back to win 2-1 over Hoffenheim, to go 13 points clear with seven games remaining.

Leverkusen's victory put the onus on Bayern in Saturday's late match, but the German champions lost at home with Dortmund scoring goals in each half through Munich-born Karim Adeyemi and defender Julian Ryerson.

Harry Kane had the ball in the net in the dying stages to give Bayern hope of a comeback, but the England captain's goal was struck off for offside. Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel sent "congratulations to Leverkusen".

Asked if the title race was over, Tuchel replied "of course", saying "it's self-evident, clear".

Dortmund's first league win in Munich in 3,641 days, dating back to 2014 when Jurgen Klopp was in the dugout, took them three points clear of RB Leipzig and back into fourth place with the battle for the Champions League intensifying.

The win in Munich "took too long" said Dortmund coach Edin Terzic. "We had a bit of luck, but we worked hard for it," Terzic told Sky.

Earlier on Saturday, Maximilian Baier gave Hoffenheim a 1-0 lead at Leverkusen.

But with this season's unbeaten record in serious danger a day after Xabi Alonso pledged to stay on as coach for another year, the league leaders hit back.

Robert Andrich levelled in the 88th minute before an injury-time Patrik Schick volley sealed another remarkable comeback win.

Leverkusen's late win continued their record of victories in the dying moments this season.

Alonso's side have scored late to beat Augsburg, Leipzig, Stuttgart in the German Cup and Qarabag twice against in the Europa League.

"I was always optimistic," Alonso told reporters. "We said at half-time that one goal is important. Everything can change in one moment. "We have a winner's mentality -- we built that for ourselves this season."

Raphinha guides Barca to victory

Spanish champions Barcelona cut the gap on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to five points with a 1-0 win over 10-man Las Palmas on Saturday.

Raphinha headed home in the second half to clinch Barcelona's victory after the visitors had goalkeeper Alvaro Valles dismissed after 24 minutes for a rash foul.

Barcelona warmed up for their Champions League quarter-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain, their next match in 11 days' time, with a straightforward victory, albeit by a tight scoreline.

Xavi Hernandez's side are unbeaten in 11 games since the coach said he would leave at the end of the season and their recent form has given them some faint hope of retaining their title.

AC Milan consolidate second

AC Milan strengthened their grip on second place in Serie A on Saturday with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Fiorentina after an Adam Marusic header sunk Juventus in the final seconds at Lazio. Stefano Pioli's side closed the yawning gap separating them from runaway league leaders Inter Milan, to 11 points with well-taken goals early in the second half from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leao. But more importantly a sixth straight win in all competitions meant Milan took advantage of Juve's single-goal defeat in Rome to move six points clear of their old rivals with eight games remaining.

The Montenegro defender's first goal of the season pushed Lazio up to seventh, a point and a place above Napoli who were humbled 3-0 at home by Atalanta. Lazio are eight points away from the last Champions League spot currently held by fourth-placed Bologna ahead of their fixture with Salernitana on Monday.

Spurs, Villa win

Manchester United lost more ground in the battle for a place in next season's Champions League after a dramatic finale in a 1-1 draw at Brentford on Saturday, as Son Heung-min fired Tottenham to a 2-1 win over Luton.

Aston Villa remain in fourth after a 2-0 win over Wolves, three points ahead of Tottenham, but now enjoy an 11-point cushion over United, who were lucky to escape west London with a point. 

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was met with another backlash at Stamford Bridge after his side failed to make the most of an extra man for the entire second half and drew 2-2 against second-bottom Burnley.

Newcastle closed to within one point of West Ham in seventh after a remarkable fightback to win 4-3 at St. James' Park.

Everton's winless run stretched to a club record 12 Premier League games after a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth to leave the Toffees still perilously placed just three points above the relegation zone.

How did you feel after reading this news?

More from Author

Nurturing The Virtues Of Social Cohesion

Navigating Nepal's Transition From LDC Status

Accept Your Emotions

More than 80 students crammed in single class

216,630 watch films in Cine Royal hall in Nepalgunj

Average stay of tourists in Gandaki is 12 days