Dominant Bayer break through BVB's bulwark late on
The streak continues: Bayer Leverkusen remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season. Even Borussia Dortmund can't change that with their early goal. In the end, the dominance of coach Xabi Alonso's team does have an effect.
Borussia Dortmund let a victory at unbeaten Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen slip from their grasp in the final few meters. Thanks to ruthless efficiency, coach Edin Terzic's team secured a fortunate 1:1 (1:0) draw with the superior Werkself, who remained unbeaten in their 20th competitive match and suffered only their second point loss of the season after eight league victories.
Julian Ryerson (5') put the visitors ahead in front of 30,210 spectators in the sold-out BayArena, Victor Boniface (79') scored a well-deserved equalizer after an assist from substitute Patrik Schick. Bayer remain top of the table with 35 points after 13 games, but Bayern Munich could overtake them with a three-pointer in the catch-up game against Union Berlin after Saturday's match was called off. BVB slipped out of the Champions League places and are fifth (25 points).
Ryerson scores early
Bayer coach Xabi Alonso once again relied on his well-rehearsed and rested league squad. Florian Wirtz, who had missed the 2-0 Europa League win at BK Häcken with muscular problems, returned. Terzic had much bigger personnel worries due to a "wave of colds". Niklas Süle, Ramy Bensebaini and Salih Özcan were missing, but Julian Brandt and Marcel Sabitzer recovered in time.
"This is currently the toughest task in German soccer," said Terzic ahead of the game on DAZN - but he was confident after the early round of 16 in the Champions League during the week at AC Milan (3:1): "There are always two teams in a top match. We are one of them. We want to play courageously and take the next step."
And in this "extremely important game" on the first Sunday of Advent, they did just that. Marco Reus crossed with his heel to Niclas Füllkrug, who shielded the ball and played it through at just the right time to Ryerson, who gave Lukas Hradecky no chance.
Leverkusen chasing the deficit
A very unusual situation for Leverkusen. The only time the Alonso team had had to chase back a point was in Munich (2:2). But the Werkself were unimpressed, were overwhelmingly superior and combined easily into the penalty area, especially via the right wing with Jeremie Frimpong and Jonas Hofmann. Exequiel Palacios (7'), Xhaka twice (14/21') and Hofmann (20') were not accurate enough, Jonathan Tah failed to hit the ball (26') and Alejandro Grimaldo's free-kick was saved by BVB keeper Gregor Kobel (31').
Shortly before the break, Wirtz scored a remarkable goal, but it was conceded by Victor Boniface for offside (45.+1). Xhaka missed the best chance shortly afterwards and BVB's lead at the break was extremely fortunate. The visitors defended with self-sacrifice and waited for counter-attacks. Odilon Kossounou made a last-ditch save from the onrushing Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (51'), otherwise it was just Bayer playing - and they were rewarded late on.
Read also:
Bayer 04 Leverkusen's unbeaten run in the Soccer league continues, even against Borussia Dortmund. Despite Julian Ryerson scoring early for BVB, Xabi Alonso's team managed to equalize late in the game, with Victor Boniface finding the back of the net following an assist from Patrik Schick.
Despite Borussia Dortmund's early goal, Bayer 04 Leverkusen's superior play and determination in the Soccer league allowed them to seek an equalizer. This pursuit of parity led to Victor Boniface scoring a late goal, securing a draw for Bayer against Borussia Dortmund.
Source: www.ntv.de
