Leverkusen beat Bochum to stay hot on Bayern's heels

Defending champions Leverkusen dominated possession and were camped out near Bochum's goal for much of the match but struggled to carve out clear chances until late in the game. Aleix Garcia opened Leverkusen's account midway through the opening half when he curled in a shot from just outside the area.

Bochum hit back shortly afterwards when Felix Passlack unleashed a memorable strike of his own after a defensive mistake from Granit Xhaka. Leverkusen's nerves seemed to build as the game went on until Boniface, starting for the first time since early February, restored their lead with a close range tap-in on the 60-minute mark.

Adli, on for Patrik Schick, scored a third in the 87th minute to wrap up the victory and up the pressure on Bayern, who host St Pauli on Saturday. Bayern can restore the gap to six points with a win but will need to do so with a depleted defence, with both Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano picking up long-term injuries in the international break.

Coach Xabi Alonso told reporters "maybe it wasn't the best performance, but it was consistent, stable and serious. For the last period of the season - these seven games - if we stay patient and calm, we know we have a chance." "Of course we're dependent on other results," Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah told DAZN, but added "we're in it and we haven't given up yet. We're still believing."

German Cup holders Leverkusen play away at third-division Arminia Bielefeld in the semi-finals of the competition on Tuesday. Pre-match, the task for Leverkusen was simple. Alonso said Thursday his side would "fight until the end" and "put as much pressure on them (Bayern) as possible." With creative spark Florian Wirtz still injured, Alonso opted to start strikers Boniface and Schick alongside each other for the first time this season.

Despite the dual attacking threats up front, it was diminutive forward who Garcia opened the scoring with 20 minutes gone. The Spaniard collected an Exequiel Palacios pass on the edge of the box and unleashed a perfect strike into the near corner. Bochum, whose lowly table position belies their recent form with wins over Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, struck back just six minutes later with a stunning volley from Passlack.

With the scores level at the break, Leverkusen retook the lead 15 minutes into the second period. Garcia whipped in a curling cross from the right, which found Piero Hincapie at the far post. The Ecuadorian laid on a perfect cross-ball for Boniface, who put Leverkusen back in front.

Boniface scored again on the 80-minute mark but the goal was struck off for a narrow offside. With three minutes remaining, Boniface won the ball in midfield and fed Palacios, who laid the ball on for Adli to slide home.