Champions Bayer Leverkusen battled past Mainz 05 with a 1-0 win coming courtesy of a superb Alex Grimaldo free kick on Tuesday to stretch their winning run to seven straight matches in the Bundesliga and close in on leaders Bayern Munich.

Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen only managed a narrow 1-0 victory against Mainz but that was enough to keep them close to leaders Bayern Munich. Leverkusen failed to find a way through in-form Mainz in the first half but Alejandro Grimaldo finally broke the deadlock with the winner in the 48th minute.

Bayer Leverkusen return from the Bundesliga's winter break with victory at Borussia Dortmund to maintain the pressure on leaders Bayern Munich.

Bayer Leverkusen battled past Mainz 05 with a 1-0 home victory courtesy of a superb Alex Grimaldo free kick on Tuesday to stretch their winning run to seven straight matches in the Bundesliga and close in on leaders Bayern Munich.

A second-half goal from Alex Grimaldo sent Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-0 home win over Mainz, closing the gap with league leaders Bayern Munich to one point. With half the season played, Dortmund sit ninth,