Bundesliga football returned with high expectations as Borussia Dortmund faced off against Bayer Leverkusen, setting the stage for significant points at the Signal Iduna Park. The match kicked off at 20:30 on January 10, 2025, and was televised live on Sat.1 and available for streaming on Joyn and ran.de. DAZN also featured the game for its subscribers.
After the winter break, both teams needed to secure valuable points, with Dortmund aiming momentarily for the third place and Leverkusen striving to keep pressure on Bayern Munich at the top of the table. Unfortunately for the BVB, coach Nuri Sahin suffered from multiple player absences due to a widespread flu affecting his squad.
Before the match, Sahin revealed concerning news stating, "We have serious problems with our squad right now. The flu swept through the team, leaving us with very few fit defenders.” Hearts sank for fans as two days prior, Sahin announced illness hitting Waldemar Anton and Almugera Kabar, both of whom were instrumental to his defensive setup.
On the day of the match, reports confirmed Kabar would play, but Anton, alongside other key players including Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can, and Ramy Bensebaini, would be absent due to illness. Sahin was left with only Yannik Lührs from the U23 team as the sole defender available. "It presents quite the puzzle for me; we will have to make adjustments on the fly," said Sahin, facing the prospect of having to position players outside their normal roles.
Dortmund’s severe personnel deficiencies were met with equal seriousness by Leverkusen, who themselves had to deal with the likely absence of midfielder Granit Xhaka due to ankle issues, according to coach Xabi Alonso, "We still have hope he can make it, but we are assessing his fitness closely." With both teams juggling injuries, the outcome remained highly uncertain.
The match itself took place within the famed flares and chants from the BVB supporters, their optimism tempered by the present challenges. The opening minutes brought early drama with Leverkusen’s Tella scoring almost instantly after kickoff, showcasing the BVB defense's vulnerability.
Despite Dortmund's attempts to bounce back with Jamie Gittens scoring to reduce the lead, Leverkusen's clinical finishing punished the BVB weakness. They capitalized on defensive lapses, scoring another goal through Schick with Frimpong providing the assist. By the half, it was clear: Dortmund's task of returning to form was stacked against them, trailing 1-3.
Fans turned to live commentary as play proceeded, reflecting on Dortmund’s historically strong home performance against Leverkusen, not having lost at home on Fridays for decades. Yet tonight was different, and it became evident how difficult the scenario was as Leverkusen expertly kept possession and defended resolutely.
By halftime, the play continued with Dortmund struggling to connect passes, their midfield disrupted heavily by injuries and illness, which left noticeable gaps. The passing ability of Leverkusen shone, and they kept forcing Dortmund to chase shadows.
The match showcased the stark differences between the two sides this season: Dortmund struggled to keep pace within the top-flight competition, aiming for Champions League qualification, whilst Leverkusen was intent on maintaining its status as title contenders.
Post-match, questions arose over the long-term strategy for Dortmund, with Sahin under scrutiny—players frequently coming and going revealed uncertainty about roster stability. "We have to find consistency moving forward, it’s become evidently clear our defensive woes need addressing immediately," Sahin acknowledged.
On the media front, comprehensive coverage ensued, outlining specifics of the broadcast with viewers invited to tune throughout their platforms. Different opinions surfaced among commentators and pundits as to whether the BVB could turn around their form in the arduous weeks to come.
With January proving to be pivotal, Dortmund has heavy fixtures lining their calendar. Sahin made it clear, "Every point matters now, especially against direct competition like Leverkusen and upcoming fixtures requiring immediate recovery. We need to prioritize our health first before we talk about tactics and form."
Through victories or defeats, Borussia Dortmund's resilience was tested against Leverkusen, highlighted by significant injuries and the impacts of surrounding drama, leaving fans wondering how long it would take for the BVB to regain its championship aspirations. The tumultuous encounter ended on the scoreboard as 1-3, with the quest for improvement now resting on Sahin’s young team facing the challenges of Bundesliga competition.