DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Bayer Leverkusen got off to a strong start in 2025 with a crucial 3-2 victory over a depleted Borussia Dortmund on Friday, significantly boosting their chances of defending the Bundesliga title.
Nathan Tella wasted no time in making an impact, finding the net just 25 seconds into the first Bundesliga match of the year. Leverkusen capitalized on their early momentum, converting all three of their initial shots on goal against Dortmund, who were hampered by the absence of six players due to illness, forcing them to assemble a makeshift defensive lineup.
The result propelled Leverkusen within one point of current league leaders Bayern Munich, who are dealing with their own injury issues heading into a clash with Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday.
Leverkusen’s head coach Xabi Alonso savored the victory, particularly as it came against his former Real Madrid teammate Nuri Sahin, whose Dortmund side currently sits in sixth place and risks dropping to 10th depending on other outcomes this weekend.
“We’re obviously very satisfied, very proud. Winning here is extremely hard,” Alonso remarked to broadcaster DAZN. “We did it with discipline and a fighting mentality to keep pushing until the final whistle.”
Patrik Schick shone in the first half, notching two goals to take his tally to 11 in his last seven Bundesliga appearances, stepping up admirably in the absence of injured striker Victor Boniface.
“We’re witnessing a fantastic Patrik showing great determination to improve, and we rely on him,” Alonso emphasized.
Despite dominating possession with 70%, Dortmund found it challenging to contain Leverkusen’s swift counterattacks. Jamie Gittens’ early strike kept Dortmund in contention, and a penalty conceded by Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba due to a reckless challenge was expertly converted by Serhou Guirassy in the 79th minute, adding late drama to the encounter.
Dortmund’s defensive woes were exacerbated by a spate of illnesses, sidelining key players such as midfielder Emre Can and central defenders Nico Schlotterbeck and Waldemar Anton, compounding their existing injury woes.
In a patchwork backline, Yannik Lührs and Almugera Kabar made their Bundesliga debut, with Yan Couto making only his fourth league start of the season, and Julian Ryerson adapting to an unfamiliar central defensive role despite his usual position as a right back.
The competitive showdown highlighted Leverkusen’s resilience and Dortmund’s struggles to cope with personnel challenges, serving as a microcosm of the unpredictable nature of top-tier football.
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