Wasteful Leverkusen held to goalless draw by Stuttgart

Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen missed several big chances to score and ended up held to a goalless draw at home by last season’s runners-up VfB Stuttgart on Friday.

Leverkusen should have broken the deadlock in the first half, after hitting the woodwork and putting goalkeeper Alexander Nübel under pressure a number of times.

When they finally found the net, however, Jeremie Frimpong’s goal was ruled out because assist provider Victor Boniface was offside and let the ball go out before crossing into the box.

The second half had an intense start, with Leverkusen asking for a penalty in the 48th for a potential handball from Josha Vagnoman. Their calls, however, were denied.

Leverkusen again hit the post in the 52nd after Boniface’s effort, while Frimpong missed a huge chance from close range and headed the ball wide in the 66th.

Nübel made a stunning save in the 74th to prevent Boniface from capping his run with the opening goal, while on the other side of the pitch, Lukas Hradecky dived low to deny Chris Führich and Stuttgart the win in the 81st.

“We’re disappointed, it was the best performance of the season. With the ball, without the ball, we worked very intensively, created a lot of chances…it’s a shame,” Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka told broadcasters DAZN.

“We lacked the final decision, the final pass today,” he said.

Leverkusen remain third in the table, four points behind leaders Bayern Munich, while Stuttgart are seventh and happy with the point from the away match.

“It was exhausting and difficult. We have to recognize Leverkusen’s performance, they are a top team. They were better than us offensively and defensively. That’s why we have to be happy with the point, more than that was not on the table for us,” Karazor said.

Nübel added: “We can be happy that we played a goalless draw and didn’t lose the game.”

Saturday’s schedule includes Bayern v Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund v RB Leipzig.