Leverkusen held by Stuttgart as Bundesliga battle intensifies
Bayer Leverkusen stretched its lead at the top of the Bundesliga to four points, but couldn't take full toll of Bayern Munich's 5-1 humiliation by Eintracht Franfurt, drawing 1-1 at Stuttgart in a high-class clash at MHPArena.
Having watched Bayern get utterly demolished by Eintracht, the chance to go six clear of the champion was on a plate for Xabi Alonso's still unbeaten side, but a stubborn Stuttgart, which is having a fine season of its own in third place, wasn't giving anything away.
In fact it was the home side that had the best of the early exchanges, forcing a save out of Lukas Hradecky in the early minutes before going ahead five minutes before the break through Chris Furich.
But Florian Wirtz levelled matters early in the second half and had Jonathan Tah's effort been a few inches inside the post rather outside in the dying stages, it could have been so much better for the league leader.
Leverkusen will host Eintracht next week, hoping not to suffer the same fate as Bayern did in Frankfurt, while Stuttgart will travel to the champion, looking to continue the nightmare for Thomas Tuchel's men and climb into second place for itself.
