Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen only managed a narrow 1-0 victory against Mainz but that was enough to keep them close to leaders Bayern Munich. Leverkusen failed to find a way through in-form Mainz in the first half but Alejandro Grimaldo finally broke the deadlock with the winner in the 48th minute.

A second-half goal from Alex Grimaldo sent Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-0 home win over Mainz, closing the gap with league leaders Bayern Munich to one point.With half the season played, Dortmund sit ninth,

Bayer Leverkusen beat Mainz 05 1-0 at home to close the gap on leaders Bayern to one point. However, the Munich side have played one game less.

Champions Bayer Leverkusen battled past hosts Borussia Dortmund 3-2 with two goals from Patrik Schick on Friday to move within a point of leaders Bayern Munich with a sixth straight league win.

Promoted Holstein Kiel had to endure Borussia Dortmund's late comeback attempt but held on to claim a 4-2 win in the Bundesliga on Tuesday. The home crowd was euphoric when Shuto Machino broke the deadlock in the 27th,

Borussia Dortmund's struggles in the league continued with a 4-2 loss at Holstein Kiel on Tuesday, raising the heat on under-fire coach Nuri Sahin. Questions will continue to be asked of coach Sahin,