Bayer Leverkusen vs. Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga | Pre Match
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Borussia Dortmund
In a clash that promises to be a defining moment in the Bundesliga’s closing stages, dethroned champions Bayer Leverkusen prepare to host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena on Sunday, in what marks their penultimate match of a season that has been both exhilarating and bittersweet. Leverkusen, who relinquished their Bundesliga crown to Bayern Munich following a 2-2 draw against Freiburg on May 4, have amassed 68 points, securing second place but falling short of the title they so valiantly claimed the previous year. That dramatic stalemate, where they clawed back from a 2-0 deficit with two late goals from the 82nd minute, encapsulated their resilience but also highlighted their struggles, as they generated a mere 0.29 xG across the 90 minutes. Meanwhile, fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund, with 51 points, arrive with their sights firmly set on a top-four finish and a coveted Champions League berth, a goal that remains tantalizingly within reach. The stakes could not be higher for both sides, with Leverkusen aiming to end their campaign on a high note at home and Dortmund desperate to capitalize on their scintillating recent form to leapfrog Freiburg, who hold the final Champions League spot by a single point. The BayArena, a fortress for Leverkusen in recent seasons, will be a cauldron of anticipation, as fans brace for a contest that pits two of Germany’s footballing powerhouses against each other in a battle of contrasting styles and ambitions. Adding an extra layer of intrigue is the news that Leverkusen’s talismanic manager, Xabi Alonso, will depart the club in the summer, with speculation rife that the Spaniard is destined for Real Madrid. This announcement, confirmed on Friday, casts a shadow over the match, as supporters grapple with the impending loss of the architect of their recent success, while the players must summon the focus to deliver a performance worthy of their manager’s legacy.
Leverkusen’s season has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, and their recent form reflects this inconsistency. Unbeaten in their last five outings, they have nonetheless been held to draws in three of those matches, a sign that their once-irresistible attacking verve has waned at critical moments. At home, their performances have been equally patchy: while they have won two and drawn one of their past three matches at the BayArena, they suffered two defeats and settled for a draw in the three home games prior to that. This mixed record at home, coupled with their struggles to convert chances—evidenced by their paltry six goals in their last five matches compared to eight in the three games before that—suggests that Leverkusen are a team searching for their spark. Their defensive solidity, however, has been a bright spot, with three clean sheets in their past five games, a testament to the organization instilled by Alonso and the quality of their backline. Despite injuries to defenders Jeanuël Belocian, Mario Hermoso, and Nordi Mukiele, Leverkusen boast a formidable defensive trio in Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathanordered to Tah, and Piero Hincapié, who are expected to form the bedrock of their resistance against Dortmund’s potent attack. In midfield, Granit Xhaka has been the linchpin of Alonso’s system, his composure and vision dictating the tempo of Leverkusen’s play. Alongside Aleix García, Xhaka will be tasked with controlling the midfield battle, a crucial area where this match could be won or lost. Up front, the mercurial Florian Wirtz, a prodigy whose creativity has lit up the Bundesliga, is certain to start, likely supported by Emiliano Buendía and Patrik Schick in a front three designed to exploit any defensive lapses from Dortmund. Leverkusen’s previous encounter with Dortmund this season, a thrilling 3-2 victory on January 10, offers a glimmer of hope, but their broader record against BVB—winning just once in their last five meetings, with two losses—underscores the challenge they face. For Leverkusen, this match is not just about securing three points but about proving that they can still compete at the highest level, even as the curtain prepares to fall on the Alonso era.
Borussia Dortmund, by contrast, arrive at the BayArena in scintillating form, their confidence buoyed by a run of four consecutive wins across all competitions and five victories in their last six Bundesliga matches, with a solitary draw. Their 4-0 demolition of Wolfsburg on May 3 was a statement of intent, as they created four big chances and generated nearly 2.5 xG in a display of ruthless efficiency. Under the guidance of head coach Niko Kovač, Dortmund have rediscovered their attacking mojo, plundering 12 goals in their last four matches, though their defense has shown signs of frailty, conceding five goals in that same period. Kovač’s tactical acumen, particularly his use of a back-three system featuring Niklas Süle, Waldemar Anton, and Ramy Bensebaini, has given Dortmund a balance that allows their attacking players to flourish while maintaining a degree of defensive solidity. The absence of key centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, sidelined until October, and attacker Maximilian Beier, unlikely to return before the season’s end in late May, has not derailed their momentum, a testament to the depth and versatility of Kovač’s squad. At the heart of Dortmund’s attacking resurgence is striker Serhou Guirassy, whose 32 goals in all competitions this season have made him one of the Bundesliga’s most feared forwards. Guirassy’s ability to convert chances will depend heavily on the service provided by the dynamic duo of Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi, whose pace and creativity have terrorized defenses in recent weeks. Dortmund’s form on the road, however, has been less convincing, with two wins, one draw, and two defeats in their last five away matches, a record that suggests they may struggle to impose themselves at the BayArena. Nevertheless, their current trajectory—one point behind fourth-placed Freiburg and firmly in contention for a Champions League spot—gives them every reason to approach this match with ambition and belief.
The tactical battle between Alonso and Kovač will be a fascinating subplot in a match that promises goals and drama. Leverkusen’s approach under Alonso has typically been characterized by a blend of possession-based football and rapid transitions, with Xhaka and Wirtz pulling the strings in midfield and attack. Their ability to create chances, however, has been hampered by their recent profligacy, as evidenced by their low xG output against Freiburg. Dortmund, on the other hand, have leaned heavily on their attacking firepower, with Guirassy’s clinical finishing and Brandt’s playmaking providing a constant threat. Kovač’s back-three system allows Dortmund to absorb pressure and hit on the counter, a strategy that could exploit Leverkusen’s occasional defensive lapses, particularly if Tapsoba and Tah are not at their sharpest. The BayArena crowd, known for their fervent support, will play a crucial role in lifting Leverkusen, but the emotional weight of Alonso’s impending departure could either galvanize or unsettle the home side. For Dortmund, the challenge will be to maintain their attacking momentum while shoring up a defense that has shown vulnerability, particularly against teams with the quality to exploit space in behind. The memory of their 3-2 defeat to Leverkusen earlier this season will linger, but Dortmund’s current form suggests they are a different proposition now, capable of going toe-to-toe with the Bundesliga’s elite.
As the two sides prepare to lock horns, the broader context of their seasons adds an extra layer of intrigue. For Leverkusen, the pain of losing the Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich still stings, and this match represents an opportunity to salvage pride and end the season on a high note. The departure of Alonso, whose transformative impact has elevated Leverkusen to new heights, looms large, and the players will be keen to give their manager a fitting send-off. Dortmund, meanwhile, are driven by the prospect of Champions League qualification, a goal that seemed distant earlier in the season but is now within their grasp. The contrast in their trajectories—Leverkusen’s late-season stumble versus Dortmund’s resurgence—sets the stage for a contest that could go either way. The BayArena, bathed in the late spring sunlight, will be a fitting backdrop for a match that encapsulates the drama and unpredictability of the Bundesliga, where every goal, every save, and every moment could tip the balance in the race for Europe.
