Dortmund almost beat Leverkusen this Sunday during the 30th day of the Bundesliga. But ten days before hosting PSG in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League (May 1 on RMC Sport 1), Borussia was joined at the end of added time by the German champions, who maintain their series of invincibility.
A frantic race to the red visitors’ parking lot. In total euphoria. Xabi Alonso let his joy burst forth in the final moments of the clash between Dortmund and Leverkusen, this Sunday at Signal Iduna Park, during the 30th day of the Bundesliga (1-1). At the end of a suspenseful scenario, the German champions snatched the equalizer at the end of added time thanks to a header from a corner by Josip Stanisic (90th + 7). Enough to extend their incredible unbeaten streak to forty-five matches (all competitions combined). By tipping the score of a match in money time for the fifteenth time this season.
Enough to enrage Mats Hummels, who appeared very angry at the final whistle. Like his entire team, the Borussia captain thought he had obtained the scalp of Leverkusen, after having resisted the opposing offensives during almost the entire game. Dominated on their pitch, Edin Terzic’s players (very restless in his technical zone), opened the scoring in the 81st thanks to a powerful volley from Niclas Fülkrug (98km/h). Despite a painful ankle, the German center forward was decisive by taking advantage of a classy gesture from Julian Brandt, who initiated the action. But his goal was not enough to offer BVB a precious success.
Dortmund scrambling offensively
In the end, this parity score reflects the nature of the meeting quite well. With 52% possession and 13 shots to 8, the visitors imposed their technical superiority in Rhur. But Dortmund defended intelligently, with a very compact block, while Xabi Alonso had left his main offensive assets on the bench at kick-off (Florian Wirtz, Victor Boniface and Patrick Schlick). In the absence of Karim Adeyemi (suspended) and Sébastien Haller (injured and perhaps out until the end of the season), Borussia, on the other hand, had great difficulty creating dangerous situations against the best defense of the championship, like a very shy Jadon Sancho.
From risks to recovery, Emre Can in difficulty
By absolutely wanting to restart short, the Yellow and Black also regularly found themselves in difficulty against the high pressing of Leverkusen. Especially on goal kicks. Gregor Kobel took some avoidable risks and Emre Can, positioned as a sentinel in front of the defense, lost several very dangerous balls. The 30-year-old midfielder was also feverish as soon as the intensity increased a notch in the midfield.
Enough to give ideas to Luis Enrique’s PSG, who will travel to Signal Iduna Park in ten days, in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League (May 1 on RMC Sport 1). In the meantime, Borussia will go to Leipzig next Saturday (3:30 p.m.). A match which promises to be decisive in the race for Europe at a time when Marcel Sabitzer’s partners occupy 5th place in the ranking, two points behind Leipzig, 4th and last provisional qualifier for the next C1.