Dortmund rue missed opportunity after costly lapse against Bodo/Glimt

Borussia Dortmund was left to rue a night of missed chances as a strong display produced only a 2-2 draw against Norwegian outsiders Bodo/Glimt, halting its momentum in the Champions League league phase on Wednesday, reported Xinhua.

Dortmund started with purpose and control and made its pressure count midway through the first half. Fabio Silva forced a turnover in midfield before releasing Julian Brandt, who finished decisively to put the hosts ahead. The goal stretched Bodo/Glimt's defense, but Dortmund failed to extend the lead despite several promising openings.

That wastefulness was punished shortly before the interval. A short corner caught the Dortmund backline flat-footed, allowing Haitam Aleesami to rise unchallenged and head the visitors level from close range.

The hosts responded strongly after the restart and regained the lead almost immediately. Yan Couto's cross was met by Maximilian Beier, whose header was parried by Nikita Haikin, only for Brandt to react quickest and slam home the rebound for his second of the night. Dortmund looked in control but continued to squander chances, repeatedly denied by Haikin's reflex saves.

Bodo/Glimt refused to fold and again capitalized on Dortmund's profligacy. A swift move ended with Jens Petter Hauge finding space in the area and firing in an opportunistic equalizer to silence the home crowd. The closing stages were stretched and frantic, with Gregor Kobel required late on to prevent further damage.

"Of course I would have preferred to win. We go ahead twice, concede soft goals, and make life difficult for ourselves, it is simply frustrating," Brandt said.

The draw saw Dortmund slip to 10th in the league-phase standings, missing a major chance to push toward the top four, while Bodo/Glimt remained 32nd but left Germany with a morale-boosting point.

Elsewhere in the sixth round, Bayer Leverkusen needed a late goal to rescue a 2-2 draw after leading at half-time. Newcastle turned the game around after the break, hit the woodwork twice and missed clear chances before Alejandro Grimaldo struck late to level.