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Bayer Leverkusen is just three points away from their first Bundesliga title after a 1-0 win at Union Berlin on Saturday.
Bayern were leading at halftime with to goals from Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry, but they allowed three times in the second half and lost their second game in a row.
Florian Wirtz struck a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time as Leverkusen had to fight hard in the German city against 10-man Union, extending their unbeaten streak to 41 games this season.
Xabi Alonso’s team needs just three points from their final six games to win their first league title in club history.
Bayern, who have won the Bundesliga 11 times in a row, could cede their title next week, between the first and second legs of their Champions League quarterfinal against Arsenal.
Union tried hard to stay on despite Leverkusen’s constant pressure, but succumbed just before halftime, with Germany defender Robin Gosens receiving a second yellow card for a desperate tackle on Nathan Tella near the penalty box.
Following some hectic moments from the next free kick, the ball collided with Union captain Christopher Trimmel’s arm, awarding Leverkusen a penalty after a lengthy VAR review.
Wirtz comfortably converted the penalty, his third goal in the last two games.
Late in the second half, word spread among the visiting fans that Bayern was trailing at Heidenheim, driving them into raptures.
“Of course the situation is super but we don’t want to celebrate yet,” Alonso remarked with a laugh.
“We may possibly celebrate something next Sunday. Before that, there’s a Europa League match (at home against West Ham).
“Nothing is settled yet and we need to wait a little.”
Bayer Leverkusen makes a huge step towards ending Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga hopes
Bayern looked in good form early on, despite missing many injured first-team players, including captain Manuel Neuer, Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman, with coach Thomas Tuchel taking a cautious approach with Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Arsenal in mind.
The ever-reliable Kane, has yet to miss a league game this season, opened the score after 38 minutes with a Gnarby Assist.
Gnabry appeared to have Bayern on pace for a comfortable victory when he scored just before halftime, but the hosts turned the game around early in the second half.
Kevin Sessa and Tim Kleindienst both scored inside 90 seconds, tying the game and stunning the visitors.
