Valiant Werkself beaten 3-2 by Dortmund

"We put in a great effort and had a good first half. Dortmund were very effective before the break. We also tried everything in the second half but perhaps made one or two many mistakes to get a result," said Julian Brandt after the game.

Peter Bosz made three changes from the team that started Thursday’s Europa League match against Krasnodar, with Sven Bender, Tin Jedvaj and Julian Baumgartlinger coming in for Aleksandar Dragovic, Wendell and Lucas Alario.

Having won their last four Bundesliga games, Bayer 04 went into the game with confidence against a BVB side who had drawn their last three. And it showed in the early stages as the visitors dominated proceedings and gained a foothold in the Dortmund half, with Julian Brandt particularly impressing in a free-roaming role in attack.

BendeR CLOSE TO SCORING

The Werkself came close to taking a deserved lead in the 20th minute. After some fine link-up play, the ball landed at the feet of Bender but his shot took a slight deflection and flew just past the post. Leverkusen were enjoying themselves and continued to force the hosts onto the back foot, although they did have a couple of half-chances through Sancho (28’) and Julian Weigl (29’).

Three goals in eight MinuteS

Despite B04 dictating the game, it was BVB who opened the scoring on the half-hour mark when Zagadou was left free to fire in Sancho’s corner from close range. That goal completely shifted the balance of play and initiated a frantic period of the match. Volland’s low shot into the near corner after a nice combination with Kai Havertz (37’) – his ninth goal of the season – levelled the score but only for a matter of seconds. Jedvaj misjudged Abdou Diallo’s cross from the left, allowing Sancho to volley Dortmund back into the lead (38’). Overall, the Werkself were brilliant in the first half but were punished for two pieces of poor defending.

After the break, Bayer 04 again had more of the possession while the Black and Yellows waited for opportunities on the counter. The league leaders did not need many chances, though, and they extended their lead in the 60th minute when Götze’s low first-time finish on the edge of the area beat Lukas Hradecky. The ball was in the Leverkusen net again minutes later but Paco Alcacer had strayed marginally offside, while at the other end, Leon Bailey’s header drew a good save from Roman Bürki (65’).

Tah gives werkself hope

Peter Bosz reacted by Lucas Alario for Bailey (70'). The Argentinian was involved straight away and Bürki saved brilliantly to keep out his header with his back to goal. Minutes later there was nothing he could do to stop Tah’s header from Brandt’s precise free-kick (75’). The goal set up a pulsating finish to the match as Bayer 04 tried everything in search of an equaliser but to no avail, leaving them looking dejected at the final whistle.

The Werkself are back in action next Saturday (2 March) when SC Freiburg visit the BayArena on Matchday 24. Kick-off is at 15:30 CET.

Match stats:

Borussia Dortmund: Bürki – Hakimi, Akanji, Zagadou, Diallo – Witsel, Weigl – Sancho, Götze (Dahoud 83'), Guerreiro (Bruun Larsen 76') – Alcacer (Wolf 89')

Bayer 04: Hradecky – Weiser, Tah, S. Bender, Jedvaj – Havertz, Baumgartlinger, Aránguiz – Brandt, Volland, Bailey (Alario 70')

Goals: 1-0 Zagadou (30'), 1-1 Volland (37'), 2-1 Sancho (38'), 3-1 Götze (60'), 3-2 Tah (75')

Referee: Christian Dingert (Gries)

Booked: Guerreiro – Jedvaj, Tah

Attendance: 81,029