Bayern boosted as Leipzig, Leverkusen lose

Second-place Leipzig lost 3-2 at relegation-threatened Mainz and third-place Leverkusen was beaten 1-0 at home to Wolfsburg.

Bayern visits last-place Schalke on Sunday.

"In principle we don't need to talk about Bayern if we're losing games," Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann said of his team's weakened challenge after just one win in four matches. "It's about winning the games yourself."

American midfielder Tyler Adams got his team off to a great start with a goal in the 15th minute, but Moussa Niakhate scored twice for Mainz, either side of Marcel Halstenberg's 30th-minute strike for the visitors.

New signing Danny da Costa set up Leandro Barreiro for Mainz's winner in the 50th.

Midfielder Ridle Baku's 35th-minute header was enough for Wolfsburg.

Leverkusen made a good start but Nadiem Amiri and Lucas Alario missed early chances, with Alario striking the post before Wolfsburg gradually settled.

Leverkusen maintained its pressure but the defense took a break and left Baku to head in Renato Steffen's cross against the run of play.

Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz reacted at the break by bringing on former Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah for his Bundesliga debut, but Wolfsburg saw out the win.

Hertha Berlin fans protested against the club's management before the team slumped to another defeat, 4-1 at home to Werder Bremen.

It leaves the ambitious club just two points above Cologne in the relegation zone.

Hertha had been expected to challenge for European qualification following Lars Windhorst's investment of 374 million euros since June 2019. Only Bayern and Dortmund have spent more on transfers since.

Labbadia's team showed no lack of commitment against Bremen, but fell behind to a penalty from former Hertha striker Davie Selke in the 10th minute.

Matheus Cunha had a chance to equalise with a penalty at the other end in the 21st, but Jiri Pavlenka saved the Brazilian's effort. Omer Toprak scored again for Bremen before Jhon Cordoba pulled one back before the break.

Leonardo Bittencourt made it 3-1 against the run of play early in the second half and American Josh Sargent sealed the efficient visitors' win with a fine strike in the 77th.

Luka Jovic scored his third goal in as many substitute appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt since returning from Real Madrid to seal a 5-1 win at Arminia Bielefeld.

Augsburg goalkeeper Rafa Gikiewicz saved a penalty to secure a 2-1 win over his former team Union Berlin. Gikiewicz denied Marcus Ingvartsen in the 56th, then produced a fine save to also thwart Taiwo Awoniyi.

Florian Niederlechner, who conceded the spot kick, had already scored twice for the home side.

Freiburg beat Stuttgart 2-1.

Australian Associated Press