Bayern Munich star James Rodriguez has laid down the gauntlet to Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund after the title race took another twist on Matchday 21.

The Colombian playmaker played a starring role for Bayern in their 3-1 win over Schalke on Saturday, just hours after Dortmund had been held to a 3-3 draw by Hoffenheim, despite leading 3-0 with 16 minutes remaining.

After Bayern closed the gap between the two sides at the top of the table to five points, Rodriguez made it clear that he feels Dortmund are the team now under the most pressure in the title race, with the leaders still having to come to the Allianz Arena.

Watch: James discusses the Bundesliga title race

“They know if they slip up they’ve still got to come here, so they’re under pressure too,” James told bundesliga.com after Bayern got the better of Schalke. “We always are [under pressure]. I think we’re going to maintain a high level and I think it’s Dortmund who are under pressure.”

The five-point difference between the two clubs is the closest that Bayern have been to Dortmund in the Bundesliga table since Matchday 10, when the gap was just four points. Dortmund even led by nine points at one stage, but Bayern will have a chance to reduce the deficit to just two on Matchday 22 when they make the short trip to regional rivals Augsburg. Dortmund do not play until the Monday night, away to bottom side Nuremberg.

There are six matches for each side to play in the Bundesliga before they meet at the Allianz Arena on 6 April.

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