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Edmond Tapsoba scored a late own goal as Xabi Alonso's side surrendered a 2-0 lead at Red Bull Arena to slip six points behind Bayern, which beat Freiburg 2-1 in its match.

All appeared to be going to plan when Leverkusen broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. Patrik Schick drilled home a rebound after Florian Wirtz hit the post after a fine individual run. It was Schick's 13th goal of the campaign.

Wirtz was involved again as the reigning Bundesliga champion doubled its lead on 36 minutes, teeing up Aleix Garcia for a tap-in after Peter Gulacsi tipped his initial effort on to the woodwork.

However, Leipzig halved the deficit before the break thanks to a David Raum free-kick, while Benjamin Sesko was denied an equaliser from close range in the second half.

Nevertheless, the hosts did snatch a share of the spoils six minutes from time, when Tapsoba turned a cross beyond Lukas Hradecky.

The draw left Leverkusen in second, six points adrift of leader Bayern Munich, but Alonso opted to focus on the positives of the away performance.

"He [Wirtz] had four, five world-class moves," the Leverkusen head coach said. "It is a pleasure to see him play and help him.

"The result could be better as well as worse. We had our chances to score a third goal. We could have killed off the game.

"It is a pity but it is tough to come here after our game in Madrid. We need to keep going."

Alonso acknowledged his side must improve at defending leads if it is to defend its top-flight crown.

"We wanted to keep the lead, that's something we have to work on," the Spaniard added. "But I also have to say that Leipzig fought for the point."