Werder Bremen failed to capitalise on Bayer Leverkusen dropping points as they drew 0-0 at Cologne.
Stalemate on banks of the Rhine frustrates Schaaf's title hopefuls
Werder Bremen failed to capitalise on Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen dropping points as they were held to a 0-0 draw with Cologne at Rhein Energie Stadion.
Leverkusen moved four points clear after setting a club record 15-game unbeaten run from the start of the season despite being held to a stalemate at Hannover on Saturday.
But Bremen could only slightly cut the deficit as they too could not find a goal when being held by their 12th-placed opponents on the banks of the River Rhine.
Boss Thomas Schaaf decided to leave Markus Rosenberg on the bench despite the striker's two-goal heroics in the midweek Europa League win over CD Nacional which guaranteed top spot in Group L.
The decision would appear a mistake as Bremen failed to break down their hosts after dominating possession and shooting wide on 10 occasions.
Rosenberg, though, was guilty of missing one of the best chances of the match following his introduction from the bench as he headed an Aaron Hunt cross wide in the closing minutes.
