Sports

Bayern closer to Bundesliga title after 0-0 draw in Dortmund

Bayern closer to Bundesliga title after 0-0 draw in Dortmund

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan attacks during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, in Dortmund, Germany, on Saturday, March 5, 2016. Photo: AP

BERLIN: Bayern Munich took another small step toward an unprecedented fourth successive Bundesliga title with a hard-fought scoreless draw at closest rival Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Bayern, which had a healthy eight-point lead before Wednesday's shock home defeat to Mainz, preserved the five-point gap with nine games remaining. Bayern midfielder Arturo Vidal came closest to scoring for either side in the 65th minute when Dortmund 'keeper Roman Buerki produced a fine reflex save to deflect his shot onto the crossbar. The visitors had 16 efforts on goal, compared to Dortmund's 11. League top-scorer Robert Lewandowski was quiet on his return to his former club, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was unable to seriously trouble Manuel Neuer at the other end. It was the first 0-0 draw in 26 competitive meetings between the rivals.