Bayer Leverkusen kicked off the year with a crucial victory in their quest to defend the Bundesliga title, edging past a struggling Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in a thrilling encounter on Friday.
The match began dramatically, with Nathan Tella netting a goal just 25 seconds into the game, marking one of the fastest goals of the season. Leverkusen showcased their offensive prowess, scoring on their first three shots, while Dortmund, facing a significant setback, had to cobble together a defense with six players sidelined due to illness.
With this win, Leverkusen climbed to just one point behind league leaders Bayern Munich, who are grappling with their own injury issues. Coach Xabi Alonso expressed his pride in his team’s performance, particularly their resilience and fighting spirit throughout the match. “Winning here is extremely hard,” he remarked, highlighting the challenge posed by Dortmund’s home crowd.
Patrik Schick was a standout for Leverkusen, scoring two goals in the first half and bringing his tally to 11 goals in his last seven Bundesliga appearances, a remarkable feat that underscores his critical role in the team following the injury of star striker Victor Boniface. Alonso commended Schick’s determination and vital contribution to the team’s success.
Despite dominating possession with 70%, Dortmund struggled to contain Leverkusen’s speedy counterattacks, securing a goal through Jamie Gittens early on and later earned a penalty converted by Serhou Guirassy in the 79th minute, which added tension in the closing stages of the match. However, the makeshift defensive lineup, forced by an illness outbreak that left key players like Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck unavailable, ultimately proved too vulnerable against Leverkusen’s attacks.
Dortmund’s coach Nuri Sahin, a former teammate of Alonso at Real Madrid, faces a challenging future as his side risks dropping from sixth to potentially tenth place depending on the weekend’s results.
This match highlights the unpredictable nature of the Bundesliga, where injuries and health issues can dramatically shape outcomes. Both teams will be looking ahead to recover and strengthen as the season progresses.
In a broader sense, this victory not only boosts Leverkusen’s morale but also sets the stage for an exciting title race as the Bundesliga season unfolds.