Wild game to start the year
Thanks to a lightning start: Leverkusen wrestles Dortmund down
Updated on January 10, 2025 – 10:57 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Borussia Dortmund suffered a bitter defeat at the start of the year. Against ice-cold Leverkusen, BVB slept through the initial phase in particular.
The start of the new year turned into a bitter affair for Borussia Dortmund on Friday evening. Coach Nuri Şahin’s team lost 2:3 (1:3) to reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen in front of their own crowd on matchday 15 of the Bundesliga.
Nathan Tella shocked the hosts after just 26 seconds. With a brilliant direct pass, he gave BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel no chance to defend. Shortly afterwards, Patrik Schick increased the score for Bayer against Dortmund, who were completely overwhelmed in the early stages (8th minute).
BVB went into the game with major personnel concerns. A wave of flu struck down Nico Schlotterbeck, Waldemar Anton, Emre Can and Ramy Bensebaini, among others. Because Niklas Süle was also injured and Pascal Groß was suspended, Şahin had to rely on third division professional Yannik Lührs in central defense and Almugera Kabar on the wing.
With the two young professionals who appeared extremely unsettled at the time, Dortmund quickly managed to catch up after the guests’ early double strike. Jamie Gittens brilliantly lobbed over Bayer goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký (12′). Conversely, Leverkusen had the right answer ready. Schick was there again and beat Kobel (19th).
The game dragged on for a long time in the second half. Then suddenly there was a penalty for BVB. Edmond Tapsoba caught BVB talent Julian Duranville with his hand in the face. Referee Tobias Stieler looked at the scene again on the monitor after a tip from the video assistant and pointed to the spot. Guirassy converted safely (79th). BVB then started. But the equalizer would no longer fall.
In the table, Dortmund are on the spot due to the defeat and remain sixth for the time being. In the worst case scenario, BVB threatens to be pushed through to tenth place at the weekend. Leverkusen has now moved within one point of leaders Bayern in the table. The Munich team will face Gladbach in the top game on Saturday evening.