Highlights
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90'
+ 5
Big win!
Three wins from three for Dortmund in 2023 and they're up to fourth - just three points off leaders Bayern. Leverkusen's winning run comes to an end and they drop to ninth this weekend.
Full-time
90'
+ 2
A record
Goal attempts
12off target
6on target
4off target
2on target
90'
+ 1
Pinball
Leverkusen have three bites at the cherry at a corner but all are blocked as we go into four additional minutes.
90'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
350 up for Reus
© DFL
85'
Substitution
85'
Substitution
84'
Glimmer of hope?
Glimmer of hope?
52'
10.9 %
Now
0.1 %
81'
Azmoun!
Immediately into the action as he meets a Frimpong cross from the right, but Azmoun plants his header over. Thumbs up from the Iranian for the delivery.
80'
Final push
Alonso sends on centre-forward Azmoun for the final 10 minutes.
80'
Substitution
80'
Substitution
76'
Diaby!
Excellent pass between full-back and centre-back from Bakker. It's on Diaby's stronger left and he goes across Kobel. BVB keeper sticks out a leg, though, to divert it away from goal. That's six saves tonight from Kobel.
75'
Bellingham!
Deft header from the midfielder as he runs onto Wolf's curling cross. It's only a matter of inches wide of the far post.
73'
It's about the quality of chances
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
0.9
0.59
0
Goals
72'
Brandt has a crack
A well-struck effort from 20 yards but straight into the arms of Hradecky. Actually the first save he's made today.
72'
Substitution
70'
Substitution
70'
Substitution
69'
Almost another own goal!
Tapsoba slides to intercept another cross from the right and accidentally turns the ball towards his own goal again. He has Frimpong to thank this time that it didn't cross the line.
63'
Substitution
61'
Haller's day done
No goal and, to be honest, not many chances, but Haller will feel great to have got 60 minutes under his belt on his first start since cancer. Modeste is on in his place.
61'
Substitution
60'
Özcan suspended
Bit of a silly booking as Özcan kicks the ball away. It's his fifth of the campaign so he'll miss next weekend's home game against Freiburg.
59'
Know the feeling
That was the second own goal of Tapsoba's Bundesliga career. The first came in a 2-1 loss in Frankfurt in January 2021.
58'
Adli!
Close but no cigar for the hosts as Adli meets a cross from the right but only puts his header at Kobel.
57'
In Borussia's hands
In Borussia's hands
1'
41.1 %
53'
88.8 %
Dortmund double!
© Lars Baron/Getty Images
48'
Denied twice!
Diaby now forces a save out of Kobel from a wide position on the left. The goalkeeper can't hold and Adli is lurking, but a combination of yellow shirts get in the way to block from close range.
47'
Free-kick
Bayer quickly on the front foot and Adli is hauled back by Süle. Wirtz leaves the free-kick for the left foot of Diaby, but it's a poor delivery and cleared.
46'
Will we see a response?
It's the first time Leverkusen have trailed at the break under Alonso at home in the Bundesliga. Will we see a response from the hosts as we resume the action?
Kick-off!
Half-time
The difference
© Lars Baron/Getty Images
45'
+ 1
Added time
Just the extra 60 seconds at the end of the first half.
45'
Tightened up
Goal attempts
3off target
2on target
2off target
1on target
40'
BVB make it count
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
0.36
0.54
1
Goals
2:03
Long time coming
35'
Quick card
And the goalscorer quickly gets his name in the referee's notebook as he slides in and catches Diaby at the other end. His fourth booking of the season to go with his first goal.
33'
Adeyemi slots home!
Clinical from Dortmund. They win the ball inside the Leverkusen half, Brandt exchanges a one-two with Bellingham on the right. The former's low cross is dummied by Haller around the penalty spot, leaving it for Adeyemi completely free behind, and he slots past Hradecky into the bottom right corner.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
30'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
Adeyemi is getting more into the game
© IMAGO/nordphoto GmbH / Bratic/IMAGO/Nordphoto
28'
First card
Tapsoba catches Adeyemi on his ankle on the touchline and gets the first card of the game.
27'
Excellent recovery
Dortmund win a corner as Brandt sees a cross blocked. It's immediately cleared and Leverkusen look to break. Wirtz is about to pick a pass into space but Adeyemi races back to pinch his pocket and cut out the danger.
25'
Looking for that final ball
BVB are getting forward a bit more now and looking for men in the box. Bellingham attempts to find Adeyemi with a through ball but it's overhit and allows Hradecky to collect.
22'
All Leverkusen going forward
Goal attempts
3off target
2on target
0off target
0on target
Hands up if you're making your first start for Dortmund
© Lars Baron/Getty Images
17'
Bayer taking control
Possession (%)
5545
16'
Diaby!
Wirtz carves open the Dortmund defence with a pass into the path of Diaby. It's on his weaker right to the right of goal as he goes for the far corner. Superb reaction from Kobel to tip it wide.
13'
Süle over
Long free-kick is pumped into the Leverkusen box. It's only headed clear as far as Süle, who hits it on the volley. Well off target though.
10'
Adeyemi battles
And Frimpong is almost caught out as the ball breaks in the box and Adeyemi gets there in front of him. The Dortmund man gets the better of the Dutch defender at first, but Frimpong recovers to get in a block.
9'
A back 3.5 from Leverkusen
It's definitely a back four from Xabi Alonso but Frimpong has licence to push high and wide. When he does, Hincapie tucks in to form a three for cover.
5'
Amiri!
Bayer on the front foot again as Amiri creates a yard of space for a shot on the edge of the box. Just left of the D, he goes for the near corner but drags just wide with Kobel on the stretch.
2'
Palacios has a go
First effort of the game comes from the reigning world champion but Palacios's effort is easily held by Kobel.
1'
Strap in!
The final game of Matchday 18 is under way. What will these two deliver this time?
Kick-off!
Goal mania
The last 12 meetings between Leverkusen and BVB have yielded an incredible haul of 58 goals. You really do not want to miss this one. Kick-off is imminent...
3:17
Watch: Wirtz vs. Bellingham - teen titans
Alonso's Leverkusen on the up
Leverkusen have claimed 19 points from nine Bundesliga matches under Alonso, compared to five across the first eight of the campaign. "We're defending better, the spaces are tighter, everybody helps each other. That gives us great security and in turn we are also stronger when we're on the attack," the Spanish coach said of his team's about-turn in fortunes.
Title talk in Dortmund
"Are we in the mix, or are we playing catch-up? We want to avoid the latter," Terzic said in his pre-match press conference, in reference to the title race. "We want to be the ones who start the new year with nine points and are in the thick of things."
0:19
Watch: The stage is set
3:22
Watch: Haller's recovery
Spoiler alert
When these two meet, there's no shortage of goals. Eight of the last 10 have witnessed at least four!
2:03
Watch: Leverkusen 2-0 Bochum
2:03
Watch: Mainz 1-2 Dortmund
Leverkusen team news
Amine Adli gets the nod in the false No.9 role, with Adam Hlozek making way. World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios also gets a recall in the centre of midfield. Chelsea loanee Callum Hudoson-Odoi drops to the bench.
Haller starts!
What a moment for Sebastien Haller. After overcoming testicular cancer and making two substitute appearances to start the year, the Dortmund striker makes his full debut for the club. Edin Terzic also welcomes back Jude Bellingham from suspension, while Marius Wolf comes in at left-back. In a further piece of good news, captain Marco Reus is among the substitutes following injury.
Leverkusen starting line-up
Hradecky (c) - Frimpong, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie - Palacios, Andrich - Diaby, Wirtz, Amiri - Adli
Leverkusen subs
Lomb, Bakker, Azmoun, Kossounou, Demirbay, Sinkgraven, Hlozek, Fosu-Mensah, Bellarabi
Dortmund starting line-up
Kobel - Wolf, Süle (c), Schlotterbeck, Ryerson - Can, Özcan, Bellingham - Adeyemi, Haller, Brandt
Dortmund subs
Meyer, Reyna, Reus, Guerreiro, Hummels, Moukoko, Modeste, Malen, Bynoe-Gittens
Welcome!
Borussia Dortmund have the chance to close the gap on Bayern Munich to three points - but to do that they must overcome Xabi Alonso's in-form Bayer Leverkusen. Stay tuned!
0:30