The Japan Times - Leverkusen beat Bochum to stay hot on Bayern's heels

Defending Bundesliga 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 an expert shot from the penalty arc.

Bochum hit back shortly afterwards when Felix Passlack unleashed a worldie of his own after a poor 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, gave them the lead with a close range tap in on the 60th-minute mark.

Adli, on for Schick, scored a third in the 87th minute to wrap up the victory and up the ante 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.

Pre-match, the task for Leverkusen was simple. Coach Xabi 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 Patrik 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 scores level at the break, Leverkusen hit 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 kneed Leverusen 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.

S.Yamada--JT