Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel appeared to throw in the towel in the Bundesliga title race after his side drew 2-2 at Schalke 04 in the Ruhr derby yesterday, leaving leaders Bayern Munich seven points clear.
A gem from Shinja Kagawa and an unusual goal from Matthias Ginter put Dortmund ahead twice but the hosts hit back through Leroy Sane and a Klaas-Jan Huntelaar penalty.
With only five matches to play, Bayern are closing in on a fourth successive title after their 3-1 win at VfB Stuttgart on Saturday.
Schalke are seventh with 45 points, behind Borussia Moenchengladbach and Mainz 05 on goal difference.
“It is a very realistic scenario that Bayern will become champions. I don’t know if the big comeback is really still on,” Tuchel said.
Bundesliga
Schalke vs B. Dortmund 2-2; Cologne vs Bayer Leverkusen 0-2.
Leading standings: B. Munich 75; B. Dortmund 58; H. Berlin 49; Bayer Leverkusen 48.