Borussia Dortmund fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen in an entertaining encounter at Signal Iduna Park.
Despite a spirited second-half comeback, Dortmund’s defensive lapses in the opening stages proved costly, as Leverkusen’s clinical finishing helped them secure all three points in this Bundesliga clash.
The match started with a bang as Bayer Leverkusen seized the initiative almost immediately. Nathan Tella opened the scoring in the first minute with a stunning right-footed strike into the top left corner following a well-timed headed pass from Robert Andrich.
Dortmund, caught off guard, struggled to regain their footing before Leverkusen doubled their lead just seven minutes later.
Patrik Schick found space in the box and rifled a right-footed effort into the top right corner after an assist from Piero Hincapie.
Dortmund responded in the 12th minute through Jamie Gittens, whose precise left-footed finish from close range brought the hosts back into the contest.
Starting 2025 with a W! 😮💨
90+5′ | 2-3 | #BVBB04 pic.twitter.com/fGfVh4yEMT
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) January 10, 2025
However, their hopes of levelling the match were short-lived. Leverkusen’s relentless attack continued, and Schick struck again in the 19th minute, slotting home a composed left-footed finish after being set up by Jeremie Frimpong.
The second half saw a determined Dortmund side looking to claw their way back.
Maximilian Beier and Karim Adeyemi tested Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, but their efforts were either saved or narrowly off target.
A pivotal moment came in the 75th minute when Julien Duranville drew a foul in the box from Edmond Tapsoba, prompting a VAR review that resulted in a penalty for Dortmund.
Serhou Guirassy stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick, reducing the deficit to 3-2.
The closing stages were marked by frantic action as Dortmund threw everything forward in search of an equaliser.
Substitute Donyell Malen had a chance blocked in the 93rd minute, and Felix Nmecha’s late efforts from midfield added more drama.
Tempers flared in the dying moments of the match, with Nmecha receiving a yellow card for a reckless foul on Florian Wirtz in added time.
Despite Dortmund’s relentless pressure, Leverkusen managed to hold on, earning a hard-fought victory for Xabi Alonso.
