Bayer Leverkusen is doing itself a disservice with a draw against Borussia Dortmund
Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 7:29 PM
Bayer Leverkusen failed themselves in the top match against Borussia Dortmund. Coach Xabi Alonso’s team dominated for almost the entire match, but had to settle for a point: 1-1. Dortmund got off to a dream start in the BayArena thanks to an early goal from Julian Ryerson. Die Schwarzgelben then limited themselves almost exclusively to defending and proved successful in this for a long time, although Victor Boniface could not prevent the equalizer deep in the second half.
On the Leverkusen side, Jeremie Frimpong started as expected. The Dutch international had to provide an attacking contribution on the flank, just like the full-back on the other side, Alejandro Grimaldo. Florian Wirtz, Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface were Alonso’s front three. At Dortmund, Donyell Malen had to settle for a reserve role, Marco Reus was preferred. The veteran had to ensure the supply to Niclas Füllkrug together with Julian Brandt and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
More: Top transfer to England beckons for Frimpong after leakage of transfer fee | Frimpong is about to leave Leverkusen; Sky reports a surprisingly low lump sum payment
The match could hardly have started better for Dortmund. The fourth minute had just passed when the visitors mounted a dangerous attack around Dortmund’s box. Füllkrug deftly passed on to Ryerson, who managed to finish from close range: 0-1.
Granit Xhaka was responsible for Leverkusen’s first danger, although the Swiss saw that Gregor Kobel had no trouble with his effort from the edge of sixteen. Xhaka tried again halfway through the first half with a shot, this time more dangerous than his first attempt. His shot flew just wide of Kobel’s goal. The Dortmund goalie had more difficulty with Alejandro Grimaldo’s free kick, who saw his effort turned into the short corner.
After his early opening goal, Dortmund mainly limited themselves to defending. It was quite successful, because the normally promising Leverkusen had difficulty getting through the defense. However, Edin Terzic’s team could not stop everything. Boniface headed just wide and Exequiel Palacios saw his effort end up over Kobel’s goal.
In injury time of the first half, Leverkusen still thought they would level the score. After a nice attack, Frimpong passed to Wirtz, who shot wonderfully from the underside of the crossbar. However, in the run-up to the goal, Boniface appeared to have been offside with one foot: the goal was disallowed. Werkself still had an excellent opportunity to level the score before half time. Boniface laid off to Granit Xhaka, who shot his effort into the stands.
After the interruption, little changed in the game image. Dortmund defended, while Leverkusen continued to look for the redeeming equalizer. It didn’t happen for a long time, despite Leverkusen almost exclusively reporting around Dortmund’s sixteen in the second half. Alonso decided with about ten minutes to go to bring Palacios on for Patrik Schick. That turned out to be a golden change. Less than a minute after his entrance, the Czech was found in the box. Schick put back to Boniface, who simply tapped in: 1-1.
Leverkusen kept pushing and still had time to force the winning goal. Boniface came close to his second goal of the evening. The Nigerian tried with a well-taken volley, which was within Kobel’s reach. Schick was also brought into position a few moments later. However, the ball landed just too high for him, meaning he could not give his header enough power and direction. The last big chance was not for Leverkusen, but for Dortmund. Füllkrug suddenly appeared in front of Leverkusen’s goal and headed over to his own frustration.
No.TeamMWGVP1Bayer Leverkusen131120352Bayern Munich121020323VfB Stuttgart131003304RB Leipzig13823265Borussia Dortmund13742256TSG Hoffenheim13625207Eintracht Frankfurt12462188SC Freiburg13535189Borussia Mönchengladbach134451610V fL Wolfsburg135171611FC Augsburg123541412VfL Bochum132741313Werder Bremen133281114Heidenheim1332811151. FC Köln13238916Darmstadt 9813238917FSV Mainz 05131578181. FC union Berlin 122197
2023-12-03 18:29:00
#Bayer #Leverkusen #disservice #draw #Borussia #Dortmund #Voetbalzone.nl
