Bayer Leverkusen thought they were about to lose their unbeaten status, but in the 98th minute of the match against Borussia Dortmund, it was ultimately prevented. The team coached by Xabi Alonso once again escaped by the skin of their teeth: 1-1.
Borussia Dortmund is facing a critical juncture in their season as they strive to secure a spot in next year’s Champions League.
Currently positioned fifth in the league, they trail RB Leipzig by three points with just a few games remaining. This situation heightens the pressure on the team as they also continue to compete in the Champions League semi-finals, aiming for success on multiple fronts.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen, having clinched the league title last week, has little at stake except pride and the ambition to maintain their unbeaten record this season in league play. This unique position allows them to play without the pressure of championship stakes, yet their motivation to end the season without a defeat remains a compelling goal.
The match itself started off slow, with the first thirty minutes lacking significant action. However, the intensity escalated when Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong was taken down in the penalty area. The call for a penalty was denied by the referees, adding to the drama of the match. Leverkusen's threat continued as Alejandro Grimaldo looked dangerous on several occasions, but it was goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky who kept Leverkusen in the game with a crucial save against Marcel Sabitzer’s attempt before half-time.
As the match neared its conclusion, Leverkusen found themselves with a golden chance to take the lead. A precise long ball from Granit Xhaka to Jonas Hofmann, who set up Nathan Tella perfectly, should have resulted in a goal, but Tella’s miss in a promising position kept the scoreline at 0-0. Moments later, the scenario seemed dire for Leverkusen as Dortmund’s Niclas Füllkrug broke the deadlock, scoring late in the game.
In response to the looming defeat, Xabi Alonso made strategic substitutions by introducing Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface. The game's atmosphere intensified when Boniface got involved in an altercation with Nico Schlotterbeck, initially earning a red card, which was later rescinded following a VAR review.
Leverkusen’s knack for dramatic late-game recoveries shone through once again. In the dying seconds of the match, a corner from Florian Wirtz was met by Josip Stanisic, whose header found the back of the net in the 98th minute, securing a 1-1 draw. This goal not only salvaged a point but also extended Leverkusen’s impressive unbeaten streak to 45 games, a testament to their resilience and consistency throughout the season.
