Borussia Dortmund produced a strong comeback to defeat Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 away in the Bundesliga on Sunday, a crucial victory that maintains their challenge for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification heading into the final matchday of the season.
The win, Dortmund’s sixth in their last seven league matches, lifts them to fifth place with 54 points, just one point behind fourth-placed Freiburg. It was a poignant occasion for Bayer Leverkusen, marking coach Xabi Alonso’s final home game before his departure at the end of the season.
Leverkusen initially took a deserved lead in the 31st minute when Jeremie Frimpong scored. However, Dortmund responded swiftly, with Julian Brandt equalising just two minutes later following a cutback from Karim Adeyemi. The visitors then went ahead in the 43rd minute, Julian Ryerson finishing a move after Dortmund won possession in Leverkusen’s half. Crucial saves from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel in the first half prevented Leverkusen from extending their early advantage.
Dortmund asserted their dominance in the second half. Marcel Sabitzer set up Adeyemi in the 73rd minute to make it 3-1, and Serhou Guirassy added a fourth in the 77th minute, his 20th league goal of the campaign. Jonas Hofmann managed a late consolation goal for Leverkusen in stoppage time.
Xabi Alonso, who announced on Friday his decision to leave Leverkusen after a successful tenure that included an unbeaten domestic double last season and a Europa League final appearance, reflected on his time at the club. “We lived a lot of special moments and it was a mixed feeling in the last home game. We are thankful for what we achieved in the past three years,” Alonso said. “What I lived here in Leverkusen has been very special.” Regarding the match, he added, “We played a very good first half but keeper Kobel made saves. In the second half, we were not good. But football today for me was not the most important thing.”
Borussia Dortmund, last season’s Champions League finalists, will host relegated Holstein Kiel in their final league game.
In other Bundesliga results impacting the Champions League race, third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt (57 points) drew 2-2 with St Pauli, missing an opportunity to secure their top-four status. St Pauli are now almost certain to remain in the Bundesliga. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, who had already secured the league title, celebrated with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday.
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