Bayer Leverkusen defeated Mainz 1-0 at home thanks to a goal from Alex Grimaldo in the second half, cutting the difference with league leaders Bayern Munich to one point. Grimaldo's incredible free-kick after 48 minutes kept Xabi Alonso's reigning champions at bay at Leverkusen, despite their dominance over an in-form Mainz. The Spain defender scored his 12th goal in his 50th Bundesliga game as he hoisted the ball over the Mainz wall and over Robin Zentner's outstretched glove.

With their tenth consecutive victory in all competitions, Leverkusen climbed up to 38 points and await the result of the Bayern vs. Hoffenheim game. Mainz is in fifth place after losing coach Bo Henriksen to two consecutive yellow cards for backchat during stoppage time. With a 4-2 setback at Holstein Kiel earlier Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund's league woes intensified, further putting pressure on under-fire coach Nuri Sahin.