Borussia Dortmund lost on a Friday for the first time in 21 years

Crazy wave of illness, blatant defensive weaknesses: Borussia Dortmund lost the spectacular West duel against Bayer Leverkusen and started 2025 with a serious setback. Coach Nuri Sahin’s team, which was severely weakened, lost to the double winners 2:3 (1:3). In front of 81,365 spectators in the sold-out Dortmund football temple, Nathan Tella and Patrik Schick (8th/19th minute) scored the goals for Leverkusen after just 25 seconds.

Bayer 04 moved, at least temporarily, to within one point of league leaders FC Bayern Munich. Sixth-placed BVB, for whom Jamie Gittens (12th) and Serhou Guirassy (79th/penalty) scored, are in danger of slipping out of the international ranks this weekend. Difficult days lie ahead for Sahin and his team.

“We expect a top game against a top opponent,” said Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso. However, top opponents Dortmund had to cope with severe personnel setbacks at short notice. Six players were missing due to illness at short notice. 21-year-old Yannik Lührs was the only fit trained central defender. It was his first time playing in the Bundesliga from the start.

“We were hoping that one or two players would still make it. But it’s difficult when there’s a virus going around. It’s extremely bitter,” said BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl on DAZN and had no idea what was going to happen to him should be expected in the initial phase.

Bayer 04 ruthlessly exposed Dortmund’s defensive problems. After just 25 seconds, Tella hammered the ball into the goal after Leverkusen won the ball – it was the second fastest goal of this Bundesliga season. Only national player Jamal Musiala was quicker for Bayern. Seven minutes later, Schick, who was completely free in front of the BVB goal, scored.

The game didn’t allow itself any breaks. Dortmund didn’t give up and quickly caught up. Gittens beat Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky from close range. However, the joy about this only lasted for a short time. Jeremie Frimpong crossed into the middle, where Schick just had to push in again. It was the Czech’s eleventh goal of the season. He scored all of his goals in the last six games.

Without offensive artist Florian Wirtz, who Alonso left on the bench for a good hour, the Leverkusen team retreated a long way at times. The guests relied on their pace and counterattack strength. Dortmund let the ball circulate, but rarely found gaps in the champions’ defense. With a strong reflex, Hradecky directed a deflected shot from Guirassy over the goal. The captain was also there for a long-range shot from Karim Adeyemi.

Otherwise, Bayer 04 managed the lead quite confidently and were dangerous at points. After an hour, Schick should have made it 4-1, but was denied by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

So it got exciting again: Referee Tobias Stieler, based on the video images and a foul on Julien Duranville, decided on a penalty for Dortmund, which Guirassy safely converted. Dortmund now pushed for an equalizer, but was no longer able to assert itself decisively. Leverkusen maintained a narrow lead over time.