“I’m looking forward to one more great moment together with the fans,” Alonso said at Friday’s press conference after he announced he’d be leaving Bayer 04 at the end of the season. The Spaniard will be given an official goodbye from the club ahead of the game following two-and-a-half years in charge. Loanees Nordi Mukiele (Paris Saint-Germain), Mario Hermoso (Roma) and Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa) will also say farewell alongside vice-captain Jonathan Tah. The defender has been with the club since 2015 and has made 400 competitive appearances in red and black to sit sixth on the club’s all-time list.
It’ll be an important fixture for both teams. Dortmund are battling to get into the top four and qualify for the UEFA Champions League, while Leverkusen are aiming to keep on track for the second-best season in the club’s history. They need to win today and in Mainz on the final day to achieve that.
The Werkself come into the game unbeaten in their last seven in the Bundesliga (W4, D3), which is now longest run in the division after Union Berlin’s defeat on Saturday. But Borussia are also unbeaten in six (W5, D1) and boast the best record over the last six matchdays with 16 points. They kick off the game in fifth place, which is their highest position since Matchday 13.
Bayer 04 won the reverse fixture in Dortmund 3-2 and are now out to do the double over BVB for the first time since 2006/07. However, it’s been three games since the Werkself beat Borussia at the BayArena.
Borussia are undoubtedly hitting their stride at the right time. They were stagnating in mid-table a few weeks back, having dropped as low as 11th place. Defending has been an issue, with eight teams having conceded fewer goals. But attacking has been typically fine for BVB with 64 goals scored, trailing only Bayern Munich (93) and Bayer 04 (68) in the pre-Matchday 33 charts. Find out more about our opponents here.
The German FA (DFB) have appointed Deniz Aytekin to oversee Sunday’s game. The 46-year-old has previously taken charge of 39 Bundesliga fixtures involving the Werkself (W17, D9, L13). His assistants are Eduard Beitinger and Dominik Schaal. Tobias Welz is the VAR.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-3 loss at VfL Wolfsburg on the 22nd matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2024/25...
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Bayer 04 Women ended their record-breaking 2024/25 Bundesliga season with a 3-1 defeat at Wolfsburg. It means Roberto Pätzold’s side finish the campaign with an unprecedented 43 points and 13 wins in fourth place for the club’s highest-ever finish. Cornelia Kramer scored the Werkself’s goal in the 75th minute.
Show moreBayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund in their final home game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. The Matchday 33 encounter this Sunday (3.30pm CEST) is a sell-out at the BayArena, which will say goodbye to several players like Jonathan Tah and also coach Xabi Alonso. Here’s all you need to know ahead of this crucial game for both teams.
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In front of a full house at the BayArena, Borussia Dortmund are the opponents on Bundesliga matchday 33 on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). For BVB it is about important points in the race for a Champions League spot while the Werkself are looking to maintain the chance of the second best season in the club's history. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, head coach Xabi Alonso talked about the approach to the clash. In addition, the Spaniard officially announced his departure from Bayer 04 at the end of the season.
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A few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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