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,

A second-half goal from Alex Grimaldo sent Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-0 home win over Mainz on Tuesday, closing the gap with league leaders Bayern Munich to one point.Xabi Alonso's defending champions were dominant against an in-form Mainz but were held at bay until Grimaldo produced a stunning free-kick after 48 minutes.

Bayer Leverkusen's on one of those runs again. Borussia Dortmund looks a shadow of its former self. The two standout German teams from last season are on opposite trajectories as the pressure mounts in the Bundesliga and Champions League.