BVB concede late leveller in 1-1 draw

Boris Rupert reporting

After 80 low-key minutes, the 81,365 spectators at a sold-out SIGNAL IDUNA PARK witnessed a spectacular finish. Füllkrug fired the Black & Yellows into the lead (81), then there was a pile-up (88) and a long period of stoppage time lasting eight minutes. Shortly before the final whistle, Stanisic made it 1-1 following a corner-kick.

The scenario:   
Fifth versus first. Leverkusen had been confirmed as German champions for one week, while BVB were targeting qualification for the UEFA Champions League. Borussia had won seven of their previous eight home matches against Bayer; the reverse fixture in Leverkusen had ended 1-1.

Personnel matters:   
The Black & Yellows were without forwards Malen, Haller (both injured) and Adeyemi (suspended), while Bensebaini also missed out (injured). Coach Terzic made one change to the starting line-up that took to the field in the Champions League triumph against Atlético Madrid five days ago: Bynoe-Gittens replaced Adeyemi.

Tactics:   
BVB lined up in their usual 4-3-3 formation; despite several personnel changes, Bayer went with a 3-4-3 with Hofmann in a central attacking position.

The match & analysis:
After the amazing successes achieved by both teams in the European cup competitions in midweek, it got off to a leisurely start. Leverkusen had slightly more of the ball in the first half an hour but up until that point there was no penalty-box action – at both ends. BVB could then count themselves slightly fortunate following Can's challenge on Frimpong on the edge of the box (32), while an attack on Bynoe-Gittens on the edge of the box directly afterwards went unpunished. Grimaldo's free-kick from 21 metres landed on the roof of the net in the 38th minute, as had a shot from 18 metres beforehand, but Kobel would have been on hand to deal with it.

It was not until the 42nd minute that Borussia created their first chance. And it could well have put them in front. Ryerson initiated the move down the right flank and skipped past Tella, before squaring the ball to Sabitzer, who shot powerfully from 14 metres out. Hradecky made a strong save and parried to the side, where Maatsen could not convert on the follow-up.

BVB re-emerged from the changing rooms with Wolf on for Maatsen, prompting Ryerson to move over to the left. The Norwegian had to deal with three Leverkusen players on the counter-attack following a corner. Fortunately, Sabitzer also made it back on time and dealt with the extremely dangerous situation (48). After Ryerson's foray forward and cutback, Wolf had a good opportunity from 16 metres out only for Xhaka to make the block. Overall, however, BVB's play was too slow and error-strewn. Leverkusen might also not have produced much, but they looked set to open the scoring when Hofmann squared in the 68th minute, only for Kobel to stop Tella's ball on the line.

But it was BVB who scored the first goal! Brandt played the ball towards Sabitzer on the right of the box after a throw-in and he crossed delicately towards the back post. The unmarked Füllkrug took stock and met the ball with a scissor-kick. Hradecky could only parry the volleyed attempt onto the inside of the post and into the back of the net. Boniface was initially red-carded after coming off the bench (88), but the VAR overturned the decision. Kobel denied Grimaldo (90+6), but then the ball found the net following a controversial corner: Wirtz played the ball from the left towards the near post, where Stanisic rose higher than Füllkrug and steered it into the right corner. Kobel did not have a chance.

Outlook:   
Deep breath! BVB will continue their campaign in just six days with another big clash: their head-to-head battle for fourth place away to Rasenballsport Leipzig next Saturday (15:30 CEST).

Teams & goals

Bundesliga Matchday 30
BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-1 (0-0) BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Bor. Dortmund: Kobel – Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen (Wolf, 46) – Can (Nmecha, 69) – Sabitzer, Brandt (Özcan, 83) – Sancho (Reus, 69), Füllkrug, Bynoe-Gittens (Duranville, 83)
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie (Schick, 83) – Stanisic, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo – Frimpong, Hofmann (Boniface, 83), Tella (Wirtz, 69)
Substitutes: Meyer, Moukoko, Süle, Wätjen – Kovar, Arthur, Kossounou, Mbamba, Palacios, Puerta Molano
Goals: 1-0 Füllkrug (Sabitzer, 81), 1-1 Stanisic (Wirtz, 90+7)
Corners: 2-6 (0-1 at half-time), chance ratio: 3-4 (1-1)
Referee: Siebert (Berlin), yellow cards: Maatsen (5), Can, Füllkrug, Schlotterbeck – Tella, Frimpong, Xhaka
Attendance: 81,365 (sold-out), weather: sunny, 8 degrees