Weary Bayern held but extend lead at the top

Clearly tired from their recent extraordinary efforts, Bayern were below their very best on Saturday but still battled to a hard-earned point away to third-placed Bayer Leverkusen.

The 30,210 full house at the superbly renovated BayArena saw Munich dominate the opening exchanges but Leverkusen finish the first half much the stronger. Arjen Robben handed the visitors a 51st-minute lead from the penalty spot, but Arturo Vidal levelled just eight minutes later. FCB’s midweek exertions began to take their toll as the game wore on and the leaders toiled under heavy pressure at times, but the Bavarians defended tenaciously and came away with a point which could yet prove crucial in the title race.

The result means Bayern move onto 60 points from 30 games, stretching their lead to two points over Schalke, who were beaten 4-2 away to Hannover, and maintaining their six-point advantage over Bayer with four games to go.