Bayer Leverkusen fired two goals past Germany’s World Cup hero Manuel Neuer on Saturday to stop the goalkeeper claiming a slice of Bayern Munich history and boost their Champions League hopes.
Neuer went into the game seeking one more clean sheet to beat Oliver Kahn’s record of 19 Bayern games in a season without conceding a goal. But Bayern soon regretted fielding a weakened side as they prepare for a Champions League semi-final on Wednesday against Barcelona.
Leverkusen’s Turkish international Hakan Calhanoglu fired a direct free kick from 25 metres through the Bayern wall and past Neuer.
In the second half, Karim Bellarabi tore through the Bayern defence in a brilliant length of the field run before passing to Julian Brandt who claimed an easy goal on his 19th birthday.
The result was a new disappointment for Bayern after their midweek loss in the German Cup semi-final. But coach Pep Guardiola already has the Bundesliga title wrapped up and wanted to rest key players for the Champions League campaign.
Guardiola left top scorer Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Mueller and Jerome Boateng out of the squad and Xabi Alonso and Thiago Alcantara started on the substitutes’ bench. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are already injured.
The 2-0 win took Leverkusen, now unbeaten in 10 league games, into third place one point ahead of Borussia Moenchengladbach and into one of the three automatic qualifying places for next season’s Champions League. Moenchengladbach play at Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
Second placed Wolfsburg gave up a two goal lead against relegation threatened Hanover 96 to drop points.
Wolfsburg’s German Cup final opponents Borussia Dortmund also drew 1-1 at Hoffenheim.
Dutch international Bas Dost got his 14th league goal of the season to put Wolfsburg ahead at home to Hanover with a volley that hit the face of goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler and nearly knocked him out.
Croatian international midfielder Ivan Perisic doubled the lead with a stunning 30 metre left foot shot that gave former Manchester United reserve keeper Zieler no chance.
Hanover fought back though. French striker Jimmy Briand scored two minutes into the second half.
Perisic hit the crossbar with a shot but within minutes Hanover were level.
Japanese international defender Hiroki Sakai sent across a corner that was badly cleared and Salif Sane smashed the ball into the net with a stunning overhead kick.
Wolfsburg, who have secured a Champions League place for 2015-16, are 14 points behind Bayern.
Dieter Hecking’s team could see their lead over Moenchengladbach cut to two points if their rivals win on Sunday.
Dortmund had to fight back to scramble a point as they press for a Europa Cup place for next season.
Kevin Volland put Hoffenheim ahead against Jurgen Klopp’s team.
German World Cup winner Mats Hummels scored the equaliser two minutes later in the 35th minute.
Fifth place Schalke secured their first win since March, 3-2 against VfB Stuttgart.