Bayer Leverkusen paid the price for squandering numerous chances in a goalless home draw with Stuttgart on Friday, dropping more points in their title defence.
Leverkusen dominated the encounter between last season’s top two league sides but failed to find a breakthrough, with Victor Boniface, Florian Wirtz, and Jeremie Frimpong all missing key opportunities.
The result means Leverkusen, who dropped only 12 points throughout last season’s unbeaten title run, have already dropped 11 this campaign and could end the weekend trailing the league leaders by seven points.
Leverkusen will need to regroup ahead of Tuesday’s clash against manager Xabi Alonso’s former club Liverpool, one of only two teams with a perfect nine points in the Champions League this season.
Stuttgart suffered an early setback when Jamie Leweling was forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Leverkusen were in complete control during the first half but couldn’t break down Stuttgart’s defence.
Frimpong had a 32nd-minute goal ruled out for offside, and Alexander Nuebel managed to deny Boniface from close range just before halftime.
Stuttgart’s first meaningful attack came in the 60th minute, with German striker Deniz Undav’s shot grazing past the right post.
Wirtz delivered a superb cross to Frimpong on 66 minutes, but the Dutch winger’s header went narrowly wide.
With 15 minutes remaining, Boniface had a clear chance to score, but his shot went straight to Nuebel rather than squaring it to an unmarked Wirtz.
Unlike last season, where Leverkusen repeatedly struck late, they couldn’t find a winner in the final moments, ensuring both teams shared the points.
On Saturday, league leaders Bayern Munich host Union Berlin, while RB Leipzig, level on points but behind on goal difference, travel to face under-pressure Borussia Dortmund.