Reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen suffered a significant setback in their Bundesliga title defense, settling for a 1-1 draw against St. Pauli on April 20th, 2025. This result leaves them a considerable eight points behind leaders Bayern Munich, effectively ending their hopes of retaining the championship.
The match, played at the Millerntor-Stadion in Hamburg, saw Leverkusen take the lead in the 33rd minute thanks to Patrik Schick’s 18th league goal of the season, a well-placed header from an Alex Grimaldo free kick. Despite the early advantage and the return of Florian Wirtz from injury, Leverkusen failed to capitalize on their opportunities and maintain their lead.
St. Pauli, however, steadily grew into the game, effectively stifling Leverkusen’s attacks and creating several dangerous chances of their own. Their persistence paid off in the 78th minute when goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky misjudged a free kick, allowing Carlo Boukhalfa to easily tap in the equalizer.
Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso acknowledged the significant gap to Bayern, stating that while mathematically the title race isn’t over, the chances are ‘very, very few’. He attributed the widening gap to the team’s numerous draws throughout the season, expressing a need for greater efficiency in converting chances and maintaining defensive solidity.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Leverkusen extended their impressive unbeaten away record in the Bundesliga to 32 consecutive games, just one match shy of equaling Bayern’s all-time record. This remarkable feat offers a small consolation in what was otherwise a frustrating afternoon for the defending champions. The match ended 1-1, leaving Leverkusen to reflect on a missed opportunity and a title defense that appears all but over.
The final whistle brought to a close a match that highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the reigning champions. While their away form remains exceptional, their inability to consistently secure victories and their defensive lapses will need to be addressed if they are to mount a serious challenge for any major trophies in the future. The question now turns to how Leverkusen will approach the remaining matches of the season and what changes might be made to prevent similar scenarios in the future.
