Borussia Dortmund had to come from behind to rescue a 1-1 home draw against struggling Mainz 05 on Saturday that kept them in fourth place in the title race, four points off the top.
Dortmund, who missed a late penalty, did everything right in the first half with close to 70 percent possession and 11 shots on goal, but they wasted a slew of chances and Jude Bellingham also hit the woodwork.
Mainz struck with their first chance after the break as Levin Oztunali picked up the ball in midfield, charged towards the Dortmund goal, beat one defender and then released an unstoppable left-footed missile from 25 metres out.
The visitors then hit the post a little later before Thomas Meunier levelled in the 73rd minute with his first Dortmund goal.
The Belgian defender also earned a penalty a minute later but Marco Reus fired it low and wide, spurning their best chance to go in front.
"We have to be careful with what we do," Meunier said. "We have had so many chances to go into the top three in the league, even into top spot. Each time we waste our chance. We have to change that."
Mainz, who completely shut out Dortmund striker Erling Haaland throughout the game, hit the post again in the 78th through Oztunali and went close to snatching a late winner following Moussa Niakhate's solo run in the 87th.
Dortmund are fourth on 29 points, with Bayern, who face Freiburg on Sunday, in top spot on 33. Mainz moved off the bottom of the table into 17th on seven points.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Toby Davis)
