Bayer Leverkusen have missed the opportunity to climb into the top four after being held to a goalless draw by Hamburger SV.
It was a welcome point for Hamburg after back-to-back Bundesliga losses before the international break, but it was a frustrating afternoon for the visitors as Leverkusen wasted good chances to claim the win.
Rene Adler was key for the hosts as Leverkusen improved after a sluggish start to create a chance when Kyriakos Papadopoulos met a corner with a powerful header which forced the Hamburg goalkeeper into a fine save.
Opportunities started to arrive on a regular basis for Roger Schmidt's side, but they were denied by Adler once again when he got a crucial hand to Omer Toprak's strike after the home defence had missed a chance to clear a corner.
It was proving to be a familiar finish to Leverkusen attacks as Julian Brant evaded a challenge on the edge of the box before seeing Adler keep out his curling effort.
An improvement was required by Hamburg in the second half, and Bruno Labbadia's side no longer looked quite as vulnerable at the back as they started to ask more questions of Leverkusen.
Opportunities were much rarer, but Hamburg supporters may be wondering what would have been had Nicolai Muller not miscued his shot wide after Bernd Leno had denied Ivo Ilicevic.
It was the only clear chance of the second half, and despite a late flurry from Leverkusen, the two sides were forced to settle for a point apiece.
Callum Mulvihill
