Thursday December 12, 2024

Leverkusen extend unbeaten run, Dortmund beat Bayern

Published : 31 Mar 2024, 11:20

Updated : 31 Mar 2024, 12:02

  DF News Desk
Thomas Mueller (L) of Bayern Munich vies with Emre Can of Borussia Dortmund during the German first division football match in Munich, Germany, March 30, 2024. Photo: Xinhua by Philippe Ruiz.

Bayer Leverkusen extended its lead to 13 points in the Bundesliga standings on Saturday after securing a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Hoffenheim, reported Xinhua.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund snatched its first win at Bayern Munich in ten years, beating Bayern 2-0 on the road.

The Werkself started dominant on home soil and controlled possession while Hoffenheim kept all its men behind the ball.

Leverkusen couldn't find a gap in Hoffenheim's defense, and the distance efforts from Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz were unable to beat Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.

In the 33rd minute, Hoffenheim broke the deadlock as Maximilian Beier exchanged passes with Wout Weghorst before beating Leverkusen custodian Lukas Hradecky into the near post corner.

Leverkusen remained unimpressed and Baumann was on guard to defuse promising opportunities from Xhaka and Jonas Hofmann in the closing stages of the first half.

The hosts increased the pressure, but Baumann drove the visitors to desperation after showing good saves against Patrik Schick and Amine Adli at the hour mark.

Leverkusen almost leveled the scores as only the woodwork denied Borja Iglesias' volley in the 87th minute.

It looked like Leverkusen's 38-game unbeaten run came to an end, but Xabi Alonso's men got rewarded one minute later as Robert Andrich drilled a flicked-on corner into the roof of the net to restore parity.

In the dying seconds, Schick scored to help Leverkusen move one step closer to their first-ever Bundesliga title.

"It was a very hard and intense game for us. In the first half, we had some problems controlling the game. Robert Andrich's goal was the key moment. I am very proud of the team," said Leverkusen coach Alonso.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund moved 2-0 past runner-up Bayern Munich after goals from Karim Adeyemi and Julian Reyerson paved the way for the win.

Leipzig missed the chance to secure vital points for a Champions League berth after a 0-0 with struggling Mainz. Freiburg cruised 3-0 past hapless Borussia Monchengladbach. Eintracht Frankfurt and Union Berlin played out a goalless draw and Wolfsburg returned to winning ways after beating Werder Bremen 2-0.