Sports & Fitness

Leipzig hand Bayern title edge after Hoffenheim stalemate

Defending champions well on course for ninth consecutive Bundesliga title

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 17 Apr 2021 10:18AM

Leipzig hand Bayern title edge after Hoffenheim stalemate
Leipzig's Kevin Kampl (L) and Hoffenheim's Christoph Baumgartner vie for the ball during their Bundesliga match on April 16, 2021. - AFP pic. April 17, 2021

BERLIN - Leipzig had a last-minute goal ruled out and were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Hoffenheim on Friday to hand the Bundesliga title initiative back to Bayern Munich.


Second-placed Leipzig have 61 points but Bayern can stretch their lead to seven points with victory at third-placed Wolfsburg on Saturday with five games left.


Bayern, smarting from their Champions League exit at the hands of PSG in midweek, are seeking a ninth consecutive German title. 


Leipzig thought they had won the game at the death when Yussuf Poulsen headed in but he was penalised for handball after the referee consulted the pitchside monitor.


Friday's result was a fair outcome with Julian Nagelsmann's side taking until the 53rd minute to have an attempt on target with Christopher Nkunku failing to trouble the Hoffenheim keeper.


"We had a lot of good situations that we didn't use well enough," said Nagelsmann.


"We also had a lot of bad luck with the goal at the end, which was ruled out. It wasn't our best game, but we played well. We were the better team, but we didn't have enough scoring chances."


Nagelsmann went into the game with speculation linking him as Hansi Flick's successor at Bayern next season.


Flick, meanwhile, seen as the man to replace Joachim Loew as national team coach after the European Championship, has yet to confirm he will stay at Munich where he has a contract until 2024. - AFP. April 17, 2021

Spotlight

Malaysia

Bersatu-PH tie-up a possibility as coalition seeks Malay support, analyst says

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Woman molested on her way home from work (video)

Malaysia

Court allows Daim's daughter to permanently keep passport

Malaysia

Santiago pokes holes in data centre hype, asks: Who really benefits?

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Jeweller vows to pursue Rosmah until ‘every penny’ is recovered as RM67.5m battle enters enforcement phase

Malaysia

Ambulance carrying two injured men crashes en route to hospital after MPV collision in Besut

Malaysia

Man blames 'lack of love' for sexual assault on teens

Business

BNM's OPR to stay at 2.75 pcent in 2026 amid strong domestic demand - Kenanga IB

Malaysia

Missing jewellery: Rosmah ordered to pay RM67.5 million

You may be interested

Sports & Fitness

FIFA introduces sweeping changes ahead of World Cup to curb time-wasting, tackle discrimination

Sports & Fitness

World Cup set for record-breaking expansion amid ticket price controversy and political tensions