Pep Guardiola was delighted as Bayern Munich went top in the Bundesliga with a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen, a result which also nudged them closer to breaking a 30-year record.
"Congratulations to my players, we're first in the table and I'm very, very proud of our performance," said coach Guardiola as Bayern top the German league for the first time since he took charge in June.
"We gave everything and played very well. Nevertheless, we didn't win, despite having 27 shots on goal -- that's football, but the most important thing is that we're top of the table."
Bayern extended their unbeaten run to 33 Bundesliga games and are closing in on Hamburg's record of 36, set in 1983, as the Bavarians returned to the site of their last league defeat in October 2012.
In a high-tempo clash at Leverkusen's BayArena, Germany midfielder Sidney Sam's 31st-minute equaliser for the hosts came straight after Toni Kroos' opening goal for Bayern.
Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno guaranteed a point for his side by denying Franck Ribery twice in as many second-half minutes, then Mario Goetze, while Thomas Mueller had a penalty appeal turned down.
"I had expected that I had a lot to do, because Bayern are an elite side," said Leno. "For a goalkeeper, games like this are great as they are a chance to show what you can do.
"From a playing perspective, we have to acknowledge that we are still some way from Bayern.
"Despite that, I have to pay the team a huge compliment, we fought like lions and earned the point, even if it was a bit lucky."
Bayern took the lead when France wing Ribery found Kroos on the edge of the area and the attacking midfielder blasted home.
Leverkusen drew level when Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer parried Poland defender Sebastian Boenisch's shot, but the rebound fell to Sam to tap home into an empty net.
Bayern, fresh from Wednesday's 3-1 Champions League win at Manchester City, again dominated possession -- nearly 80 percent -- but were continually frustrated by some determined defending.
