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After a successful midweek for both Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund, the pair matched up for the first of two games this week, today in the Bundesliga and in midweek, the DFB Pokal.
In what was an uneventful first half, the best chance fell to Ernest Poku, but he would sky his effort earlier in the half. Neither team really troubled Gregor Kobel or Mark Flekken for much of the rest of the half, until Dortmund won a free kick in Leverkusen’s half.Â
Daniel Svensson’s inswinging cross would be met by the head of Aaron Anselimon, who, with the help of the post, would divert it into the net to make it 1-0. Poku would have another good chance just before half-time, stinging the palms of Kobel, but that was the extent of the trouble the Swiss endured.Â
The second half picked up just after the hour mark when substitute Fabio Silva played in a cross, which was headed home by Karim Adeyemi to make it 2-0. The Portuguese striker has been looking to assert himself in Dortmund’s starting 11, and this was definitely a way to not only have an immediate impact but also show what he can offer head coach Niko Kovac. While Adeyemi’s goal meant he has now scored in each of his last three games.
Dortmund, of course, did not make the game easier for themselves after taking what looked like a comfortable lead. Leverkusen began to grow into the game and were able to get one goal back in the 83rd minute when an Ibrahim Maza cross was turned in by substitute Christian Kofane to make it 2-1, following some horrible defending from Nico Schlotterbeck. However, die Schwarzgelben were able to hold off the resurging hosts to leapfrog them into the table and move into third.Â
The game was really a meeting point between the two sides, with Niko Kovac’s side struggling in the league in recent weeks, while the hosts were going from strength to strength. So, for Dortmund to come away with an important three points will boost their confidence and show that there are some upsides to the style of play of Kovac.Â
The great thing about this match-up is that we can do it all again on Tuesday, but this time in Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion. If the game today was anything to go by, it would be another close affair, especially as this is the only realistic chance either side has at a title this season.Â
Borussia Dortmund:
Gregor Kobel (5), Julian Ryerson (5), Aaron Anselmino (6), Waldemar Anton (6), Nico Schlotterbeck (5), Daniel Svensson (6), Marcel Sabitzer (5), Felix Nmecha (5), Julian Brandt (5), Karim Adeyemi (6), Sehrou Guirassy (4)
Others: Fabio Silva (6), Yan Couto (-), Jobe Bellingham (-), Ramy Bensebaini (-), Carney Chukwuemeka (-)
Bayer Leverkusen:
Mark Flekken (6), Robert Andrich (5), Loic Bade (5), Edmond Tapsoba (5), Ernest Poku (7), Ibrahim Maza (7), Aleix Garcia (5), Alejandro Grimaldo (5), Malik Tillman (5), Jonas Hofmann (5), Patrik Schick (4)
Others: Christian Kofane (6), Claudio Echeverri (5), Martin Terrier (5), Nathan Tella (-), Jarell Quansah (-)
GGFN Man of the Match: Ibrahim Maza (7)
From a personal standpoint, this week has been a very successful one as he continues to show his quality in a newfound position in centre midfield, and today was no different. The 20-year-old (via FotMob), created the joint most chances in the game whilst also providing the assist for Leverkusen’s sole goal of the game.Â
The Berlin-born Algerian is growing in confidence week by week, and it is fair to say he is one of Leverkusen’s better signings from the summer.Â
GGFN |Â Jack MeenanÂ
