Bayer Leverkusen cut Borussia Dortmund's lead

A Michael Ballack-inspired Bayer Leverkusen beat Schalke 04 2-0 on Sunday to cut Borussia Dortmund's lead at the top of the Bundesliga to seven points. First-half goals by Schalke's Germany defender Christoph Metzelder, who headed into his own net after 27 minutes, and Leverkusen's Eren Derdiyok sealed the win which keeps Bayer second.

Wolfsburg welcomed back coach Felix Magath, who was sacked by Schalke on Wednesday, with a 1-1 draw over strugglers Stuttgart as defender Georg Niedermeier scored a crucial equaliser for the hosts. Brazil striker Grafite put his side ahead

Mainz poached a point at Bundesliga leaders Dortmund as Croatia striker Petar Sliskovic's late goal sealed a 1-1 draw. At Freiburg, France star Franck Ribery netted a late winner to give Bayern München a 2-1 win as the Bavarian giants began their recovery from this week's Champions League exit.

Hannover 96 took a step closer to European football next season with a convincing 2-0 win over Hoffenheim that leaves them third in the league and on course to qualify for the Champions League.

On Friday, 1. FC Kaiserslautern booked three important points in the opening match of round 27 of the German Bundesliga with a 1-0 (0-0) at rock-bottom Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The match on Friday (8.30 pm cet):
Borussia Mönchengladbach - 1. FC Kaiserslautern 0-1 (0-0)

The matches on Saturday (3.30 pm cet):
SC Freiburg - Bayern München 1-2 (1-1)
Hannover 96 - 1899 Hoffenheim 2-0 (1-0)
Eintracht Frankfurt - FC St. Pauli 2-1 (1-1)
1. FC Nürnberg - Werder Bremen 1-3 (1-1)
Hamburger SV - 1. FC Köln 6-2 (4-0)

The match on Saturday (6.30 pm cet):
Borussia Dortmund - FSV Mainz 05 1:1 (1-0)

The match on Sunday (3.30 pm cet):
Bayer Leverkusen - FC Schalke 04 2-0 (2-0)

The match on Sunday (5.30 pm cet):
VfB Stuttgart - VfL Wolfsburg 1-1 (0-1)