Bundesliga: Wolfsburg held by Schalke to lose ground on Bayern

Wolfsburg lost ground on Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Schalke on Sunday.

Kevin De Bruyne equalised for the Wolves after Leroy Sane had given Schalke the lead against the run of play.

The draw leaves the hosts 12 points behind Bayern, who can wrap up their third-straight title by bettering Wolfsburg's result next weekend, while Schalke edged back up to fifth, four points ahead of Werder Bremen in the race for a spot in the Europa League next season.

Already reeling from a 4-1 defeat at home to Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday night, a result which severely compromised their hopes of reaching the semi-finals, Wolfsburg were looking to keep alive their slender hopes of catching Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga.

Schalke had other ideas, though, with their own place in Europe next season on the line with Werder Bremen closing to within three points earlier on Sunday.

They ensured it was an open game at the VW-Arena as they followed Napoli's example by putting their hosts under pressure from the off, although the better chances were still created by the Wolves, who had De Bruyne at the heart of everything.

Andre Schurrle had a few opportunities as the hosts turned up the heat early in the second half, but the opening goal came against the run of play with Schalke going in front in the 53rd minute.

Sane picked up the ball inside his own half and got a lucky break on his way forwards, making the most of his fortune to shoot past Diego Benaglio from 15 yards.

Wolfsburg got over the initial shock quickly with Schurrle missing a few more chances before De Bruyne brought them level.

Daniel Caligiuri raced past three Schalke players before losing possession, although the ball found its way to De Bruyne, who curled his effort in from nearly 25 yards for his 10th Bundesliga goal of the season - the same number he netted in his previous Bundesliga season for Werder Bremen.

Wolfsburg could have snatched victory deep in stoppage time, but Josuha Guilavogui failed to make the best of contacts with De Bruyne's cross, with Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann relieved to see his effort miss the target.