Manuel Neuer 'happy' after Bayern Munich draw with Leverkusen

Bayer took the initiative in Saturday's top-of-the-table encounter with Bayern but couldnâ™t capitalize on their dominance, with the match finishing in a 0-0 draw.

The hosts controlled much of the action, where Germany's two leading sides faced off, but they were unable to translate their attacking advantage into a goal that would have closed the gap on their opponents at the top of the table.

Leverkusen were aiming to cut Bayern's lead to just five points, with the visitors failing to register a single shot on target. However, it was Leverkusen who looked the more dangerous side, coming closest to breaking the deadlock.

In the 22nd minute, Jeremie Frimpong saw his header crash against the crossbar after Neuer had parried Florian Wirtz's low shot. Just four minutes later, Nathan Tella's volley from Piero Hincapie's cross hit the woodwork.

Tella was denied again midway through the second half when Hiroki Ito cleared his header off the line after Jonathan Tah helped direct Alex Grimaldo's corner into his path.

The veteran gloveman then saved Bayern in stoppage time, keeping out Amine Adli's volley. Florian Wirtz, following up on the rebound from just six yards out, agonizingly fired wide of the goal.

Neuer expressed satisfaction with the draw which leaves his side eight points clear of the defending champions at the top of the Bundesliga.

"We're happy with the result. We didn't create much, Leverkusen had a good day and put us under pressure.

"It was difficult to find proper space. We're going home with a point, which is perhaps fortunate. But in the past, it's also been the other way round.

"Leverkusen started aggressively, and our defensive training paid off. We had a lot of players at the back, and we did well. The important objective today was that we didnâ™t lose the game, and we did that."

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