Heynckes not disappointed by draw

Bayer Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes said he could live with the 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund on Friday night which took his side one point clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

Manuel Friedrich salvaged a point for Leverkusen after Lucas Barrios’ third goal in as many games had given the visitors an early lead and Heynckes admitted it was the best result his side could have achieved, given their performance.

“I had a bad feeling before the game and so I am not dissatisfied with the 1-1,” he said.

“Dortmund played courageously and were very lively, ran a lot, played tactically clever and were compact in defence.

“Overall, we lacked concentration.”

Leverkusen could relinquish top spot in the Bundesliga on Sunday, should there be a winner from Schalke’s clash with Hamburg, while Werder Bremen, Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich will all be looking to narrow the gap on the leaders with wins.

The point for Dortmund left them in mid-table, but extended their unbeaten run to three matches, leaving their coach Jurgen Klopp more than satisfied.

“I enjoy getting a point against the league leaders,” he said.

“If Jupp Heynckes says that his team did not play very well, then it was also due to the fact that we defended strongly.

“If we had just shown a bit more faith in our own ability, then maybe there would have been more in it for us.

“Today was another step forwards and I have the impression that we are getting back to our old strength.”