Bremen still trailing after draw

BERLIN, Germany -- Werder Bremen battled to a 1-1 draw at Schalke 04 on Saturday to maintain second place in the Bundesliga but are still trailing leaders Bayern Munich by five points.

Carlos Grossmueller put the home side ahead early in a fine match with a 14th minute free kick before Brazilian star Naldo equalized with a header on 34 minutes to set up a thrilling finish in which both sides had chances of three points.

"They thought they had the better chances, and we thought we had the better chances," Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said. "But neither got the goal, so the draw was deserved."

Runaway leaders Bayern can go eight points clear of Werder with victory against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, while third-placed Hamburg are at Duisberg.

Defending champions VfB Stuttgart gave their faltering season a lift as they beat Bayer Leverkusen with defender Andreas Beck scoring in the 72nd minute.

They are still trailing in 12th spot after a run of five straight defeats.

In other matches on Saturday, Hertha Berlin beat VfL Bochum 2-0 while Wolfsburg are up to seventh in the table after their 3-1 home win over German Cup holders Nuremberg.

Bottom side Energie Cottbus drew 1-1 with Arminia Bielefeld and Hansa Rostock held fourth-placed Karlsruhe goalless.

On Friday night, midtable sides Hanover and Eintracht Frankfurt also drew 0-0. E-mail to a friend