Leverkusen wins 1-0 at Heidenheim, keeps title hopes alive

Bayer Leverkusen secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Heidenheim thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Emiliano Buendia, keeping their Bundesliga title hopes alive. The match was tense, with Leverkusen struggling to create chances throughout, reflecting their lackluster performance following a shocking German Cup semifinal defeat to Arminia Bielefeld. Buendia's decisive strike, curled in off the post, helped Leverkusen maintain a six-point gap behind league leaders Bayern Munich, who defeated Augsburg 3-1. Despite the win, Leverkusen's performance raised concerns, as they were often second-best against Heidenheim, who had several clear opportunities to score. The victory is pivotal for Leverkusen, who must now focus on closing the gap with only six matches remaining in the season. Coach Xabi Alonso emphasized the need for improvement as his team aims to defend their Bundesliga title.