LEVERKUSEN, Germany – In an engaging Bundesliga match on Friday, Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart ended in a 0-0 stalemate, with both teams preparing for their upcoming Champions League fixtures.

Leverkusen displayed significant attacking prowess, striking the woodwork twice and forcing Stuttgart’s goalkeeper, Alexander Nübel, into a series of impressive saves. Additionally, a potential goal from Jeremie Frimpong was disallowed due to an offside call in the lead-up.

Currently occupying the third position in the league standings, Leverkusen risks falling seven points behind the leaders if either Bayern Munich or Leipzig secures a win in their respective matches scheduled for Saturday.

Stuttgart, on the other hand, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a Leverkusen defense that has been prone to errors, having conceded in every previous Bundesliga match this season.

This match marked the first time this season that Leverkusen failed to find the net and continued a worrying trend of four draws in their last six games across all competitions. The nearest they came to scoring was in the 53rd minute when Victor Boniface’s powerful shot struck the post from a favorable position.

The inability to convert chances into goals has been a constant issue for Xabi Alonso’s squad, which has not been able to replicate the kind of late-game heroics that characterized their title-winning campaign last season.

Looking ahead, Leverkusen is set to face Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Stuttgart will host Atalanta the following Wednesday.