Leverkusen Stumble at St. Pauli, Bayern Nears Bundesliga Glory

 Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title defense suffered a blow on April 20, 2025, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by St. Pauli at Millerntor-Stadion, leaving Bayern Munich on the verge of reclaiming the crown. 

Xabi Alonso’s side took the lead through Florian Wirtz’s 22nd-minute strike, a curling effort assisted by Victor Boniface, but St. Pauli’s Guido Burgstaller equalized in the 67th minute, capitalizing on a Jonathan Tah error. The result left Leverkusen with 63 points, nine behind Bayern (72 points), who can clinch the title against Mainz on April 26 if they win and Leverkusen drop points.

Leverkusen dominated with 65% possession and 14 shots to St. Pauli’s eight , but goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký’s late save denied Morgan Guilavogui a shock winner for the hosts. Alonso lamented “missed opportunities,” noting Leverkusen’s failure to convert chances from Boniface and Exequiel Palacios. 

St. Pauli, 15th with 24 points, celebrated the point in their relegation fight, with manager Alexander Blessin praising Burgstaller’s “veteran instinct.” Bayern’s 4-0 rout of Heidenheim the previous day intensified the pressure, with Harry Kane’s 24th goal underscoring their form.