The Werkself and the Schwarz-Gelben have an open exchange of blows – and in the end BVB has to take a hard blow in the remote duel for the league leaders with FC Bayern and RB Leipzig.
Setback for Borussia Dortmund: The black and yellow lost a spectacular top game at Bayer Leverkusen 3: 4 (2: 2) on Saturday evening. Kevin Volland (20th, 43rd) and Leon Bailey (81st, 82nd) met for the Werkself, Mats Hummels (22nd), Emre Can (33rd) and Raphael Guerreiro (65th) were successful for BVB. The Dortmund team remains in third place with 39 points, but on Sunday the tied Mönchengladbach could pass by with a win against 1. Cologne – and also a rival from the top duo Bayern Munich (42) and RB Leipzig (41) would with a three increase the distance in the top game.
“Hell was going on in the cabin. That’s why we play football, for such victories!” Said Jonathan Tah on Sky. “It was outstanding what kind of mentality we showed,” said the defender, praising the team’s performance. BVB goalscorer Emre Can was not happy about his remarkable goal. “We just conceded goals too easily,” he criticized. “If you take the lead, you have to play dirty – in German, too!” The 3: 4 also saw Can as a “setback”, but he said: “I believe in this team, they have enormous potential.”
As with the cup out in Bremen (2: 3) four days earlier, the team of coach Lucien Favre also failed to prove their class at 3: 4 (2: 2) in Leverkusen on Saturday evening. Unlike in Bremen, BVB coach Lucien Favre ordered the new signings Emre Can and Erling Haaland into the starting XI. The Can used in defensive midfield should provide more defensive stability and attacker Haaland for more goals.
This measure by the trainer paid off. To the delight of the audience, an impressive exchange of blows between the two offensive teams developed from the start, with four goals in the first half. Although BVB got the better start with a big chance through Haaland (19th), Leverkusen took the lead. After clever play from Nadiem Amiri Volland prevailed against his opponent Manuel Akanji and gave BVB goalkeeper Roman Bürki no chance with a placed low shot.
The Dortmund struck back immediately – and then began to falter
In contrast to the game in Bremen, the Dortmund team reacted positively from behind and struck back twice within 13 minutes. With the header from Hummels to equalize in the corner of Sancho the courage returned. And when newcomer Can took the lead with a dream goal from 20 meters, the game seemed to be in favor of Borussia. In the style of a ball artist, the German international circled the ball in the top right corner.
But it was in the picture of the season so far that BVB was again shaken. Defense chief Mats Hummels unnecessarily cleared the corner just before the break was immediately punished. Again it was Volland who scored for Leverkusener after a pass from Jonathan Tah.
Bailey ended the game
After the restart, Borussia also had to cope with the failure of Julian Brandt, who had been ordered to take the injured captain Marco Reus in 10th position. Still, she continued to rule the game. A hit by Sancho (54th) was withdrawn after video evidence. Five minutes later, Giovanni Reyna, who had been substituted for Brandt, hit the post.
Nevertheless, Borussia was ultimately not rewarded for its great commitment. Only two minutes after national team player Kai Havertz (63.) missed a big chance to lead Leverkusen in a post chance, Borussia managed to set an exemplary counterattack. A pass from the strong again used Guerreiro for the new lead, but that was not enough – because of Bailey and Bender.
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