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Leipzig (AP) - Julian Nagelsmann clapped his top game winners grinning in a snowman coat, Peter Bosz carefully packed his glasses into the case with a dark expression.

RB Leipzig kept their mini-chance of a successful Bayern hunt by beating Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 (0-0) in the top game of the Bundesliga.

The table runner-up is still seven points behind the table leaders and record champions from Munich.

Christopher Nkunku (51st minute) scored the decision against Bayer, who fell back to fourth.

"We want to go to the Champions League, with the goal we started the season," said RB managing director Oliver Mintzlaff about the championship race.

Nagelsmann praised the “good reaction” of his team after the 2: 3 at FSV Mainz 05 the previous week.

"We defended very passionately."

The Leverkusen, however, struggled with the narrow defeat.

"We have to play our counter-opportunities better and thus become more dangerous," demanded Kerem Demirbay.

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Leverkusen's coach Bosz had predicted a high-quality game and recommended that you turn on the TV before the game.

"There was a lot in it today, not good football," he admitted after the game.

It was a game with "a lot of struggle", but a draw for his team would have been possible according to the Dutchman.

"In the second half we were at eye level."

In the attack, it was not enough for the ex-Leipzig Patrik Schick for the starting XI, instead Leon Bailey should cause a mess in the Leipzig defense with his speed.

But the Jamaican was initially ineffective, only the gripping sprint duels with Dayot Upamecano offered some entertainment.

After a good 27 minutes, RB coach Julian Nagelsmann had enough.

A note with new tactical instructions was sent to Angeliño via national player Lukas Klostermann.

Immediate effect: none.

Leverkusen found their way into the game better, now had a little more possession.

However, none of the teams created danger in the opposing penalty area by half-time.

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After the break it became much more entertaining.

Nkunku failed with his first attempt, but got the ball back and after a short juggling act, thrashed it into the mesh.

For the French it was the third goal of the season and his first since the beginning of December.

Leipzig pressed the second goal, and two minutes later Sabitzer narrowly missed a cross from Alexander Sörloth.

Bosz reacted and brought in Schick and Karim Bellarabi for Daley Sinkgraven and Moussa Diaby.

Initially without any effect.

Because in a double chance Sörloth hit the post (62nd) and the margin from Dani Olmo cleared Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky with a brilliant act to the corner.

Leverkusen now had significant problems with the Leipzig counter-pressing, could hardly free themselves after winning the ball.

In the final phase, Bayer invested even more forward.

But shots flew over the gate, combinations failed and crosses were intercepted.

Leipzig limited itself to the counterattack and defended the narrow lead with all their might.

Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi saved his 150th Bundesliga game just before the end against Schick, who, however, was offside (88th).

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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210130-99-237475 / 4

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