Key match in the title fight: BVB under pressure against Bayer
A premature farewell to the championship race or an encouraging start to another race to catch up? Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday (17:30/DAZN) will be a key match.
A defeat would see the gap between the fourth-placed team and the unbeaten leaders grow to an unassailable 13 points. Despite all the respect for the tricky task, Hans-Joachim Watzke is fighting fit. "This is a top match, against a top team. But we have the opportunity on Sunday to see whether they really can't be beaten. In any case, it has always worked out quite well in recent years," said the BVB boss, referring to four wins against the Werkself in the previous five games.
Great respect for Leverkusen
At the beginning of the year, the team of soccer coach Edin Terzic already showed comeback qualities, made up a similar points deficit and was closer to the championship than it had been for a long time. But this season, the competition appears to be much more stable. "A year ago, the league leaders had 26 points after twelve match days. Now we would only be two points behind them," said Watzke, "Bayer Leverkusen are doing exceptionally well. You have to recognize that. If you win eleven out of twelve games and draw once, that's extraordinary."
Mats Hummels is approaching the sold-out match with similar respect. The Dortmund defender believes the task in the BayArena is even tougher than the one in San Siro, where BVB took fresh courage for the Bundesliga on Tuesday with a 3:1 win over AC Milan in the Champions League: "Leverkusen are a team that currently has to be rated above Milan. They play fantastic soccer. In Germany, that's the toughest task at the moment."
Nevertheless, the 34-year-old veteran believes his team has a good chance of overcoming the high hurdle. In his opinion, BVB's strength on the road has improved significantly: "A few years ago, we often fell away in difficult away games when the going got tough. You can't accuse us of that at all this season."
Kehl: "We've become more resilient"
However, the indisputable performances against Munich (0:4) and in Stuttgart (1:2) just a few weeks ago raised doubts among experts as to whether BVB could once again intervene in the title fight. According to sporting director Sebastian Kehl, however, the team is well on the way to dispelling these doubts: "We are more stable again, we have become more resilient."
Unlike in previous years, the Werkself will be the favorites in the West German duel. Despite the advantageous starting position, coach Xabi Alonso did not want to talk about a game that would point the way ahead. "There is a gap, but there is still a lot of time until May," said the Spanish coach with his usual restraint after the 2:0 win in the Europa League at Swedish cup winners BK Häcken. "The goal is three more points for us. If we achieve that goal, we'll be in a great position."
The recent upward trend is fuelling confidence that they can continue their winning streak against BVB. When asked what he expected from the match, striker Jonas Hofmann replied with a smile: "It will be tough for them." The former Dortmund player added nonchalantly: "They always say it should be exciting. I don't hope it will be, but that it will go our way."
Borussia Dortmund will face Bayer Leverkusen in a crucial Bundesliga match on Sunday, with Borussia Dortmund's boss, Hans-Joachim Watzke, looking forward to testing their rivals' unbeaten run, having won four out of five games against Bayer Leverkusen in recent years. Despite the challenge, Mats Hummels believes Dortmund can overcome the hurdle, citing their improved performance on the road this season.
In the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen has been exceptional, winning eleven out of twelve games and drawing once, leaving them just two points behind the league leaders after twelve matches. This impressive form has earned them the respect of Borussia Dortmund's defender, who considers them a tougher challenge than even AC Milan at the San Siro.
Source: www.dpa.com
