Leverkusen shock Dortmund with 3-2 Victory to close gap on Bayern

Bayer Leverkusen began the new year stunningly, defeating Borussia Dortmund 3-2 at Signal Iduna Park on Friday night to secure their sixth consecutive Bundesliga victory and move within a point of league leaders Bayern Munich.

In a frenetic opening, the visitors struck three times within the first 19 minutes, capitalising on a depleted Dortmund squad that was ravaged by injuries and illness. Dortmund’s makeshift defence, assembled after last-minute withdrawals of key players such as Emre Can, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Ramy Bensebaini, was unable to contain Leverkusen’s relentless attack.

Leverkusen needed just 25 seconds to take the lead, with Nathan Tella finishing off a high-pressing move that immediately exposed Dortmund’s vulnerability. The visitors doubled their advantage in the eighth minute when Patrik Schick slid in to complete a textbook counter-attack, leaving Dortmund reeling.

The hosts managed to briefly regroup, pulling a goal back through Jamie Gittens in the 12th minute. However, Leverkusen quickly reasserted their dominance, with Schick adding his second of the night in the 19th minute. The Czech striker delivered a clinical finish at the far post following another devastating break, restoring Leverkusen’s two-goal cushion. Schick, who scored four goals in his final game of 2024 against Freiburg, now has 11 goals for the season.

Dortmund struggled to create meaningful chances in the second half, but a 79th-minute penalty converted by Serhou Guirassy gave them hope. Despite late pressure, Leverkusen’s defence, marshalled superbly by Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapie, held firm to secure the win.

The result lifts Leverkusen to 35 points, just one behind Bayern Munich, who face Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday. For Dortmund, the defeat marks their first home loss of the season and leaves them anchored in sixth place with 25 points, far from the title race.

Leverkusen’s performance underlines their growing credentials as serious challengers to Bayern’s dominance, while Dortmund’s hopes of staying in contention were dealt a severe blow in a match where their vulnerabilities were laid bare.

Leverkusen
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