Bundesliga Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen

Borussia Dortmund are currently falling below expectations and their season is in danger of falling off the rails. After a strong first half of the season, the club have yet to register a win since January 26. Draws and losses are hurting the club and making matters worse, there are numerous injuries headed into the next Bundesliga match. With the gap below the club closing, Der BVB desperately need a win against Bayer Leverkusen.

Match information

Location: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany

Date: 02/24/2019

Time: 6PM Local/ 12PM EST

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Borussia Dortmund

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Borussia Dortmund are winless in the last 5 games. That is a statement we haven’t had to say all season and it is not a good sign for the current league leaders. Their lead over Bayern has shrunk very quickly, and Dortmund now face a must-win situation. Unfortunately for Favre, the players have not been able to secure wins. It doesn’t help that those draws also feel like losses.

Bayer Leverkusen

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Surprisingly enough, Peter Bosz is turning Bayer Leverkusen around. A win against Der BVB will see Bayer climb to 5th place in the Bundesliga. Bosz’ career as the manager for Bayer Leverkusen came with a huge win against Bayern Munich and two losses in all competitions. Despite their good form, Leverkusen were knocked out of the Europa League by Russian side FC Krasnodar earlier this week. But with the exceptional young talents available at his disposal, Bosz will look to take points away from his previous employers.

Team News

Marco Reus, Lukasz Piszczek, and Christian Pulisic are injured and unavailable for this match. Unfortunately, Pulisic hasn’t made the same impact as previous seasons, so the major losses are Reus and Piszczek. Reus hasn’t been fit since leaving the DFP-Pokal match against Bremen and Piszczek’s injury has gotten worse after the Hoffenheim game.

Opposition Star Man: Kai Havertz

MAINZ, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 08: Kai Havertz of Leverkusen celebrates after scoring the 1-2 lead during the Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Opel Arena on February 08, 2019 in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images) /

The 19-year-old German international is having a breakout season. He has 12 goals and 6 assists in all competitions. Havertz is one of Leverkusen’s best overall players and is already showing qualities ahead of his time. His pace, decision making, and skill on the ball will cause Borussia Dortmund numerous issues if they are not careful.

Last Match: Bayer Leverkusen 2 – 4 Borussia Dortmund

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 29: Paco Alcacer of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring his team`s third goal during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund at BayArena on September 29, 2018 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

Matchday 6 had a different outlook for both teams. A physical match, to say the least, saw Der BVB get pushed around in the first half. Mitchell Weiser and Jonathan Tah put Leverkusen two up going into half time. But the second half saw Borussia Dortmund turn things around with a stunning comeback. Jacob Bruun Larsen capitalized on a goalkeeping error to start the comeback at the BayArena. Sancho and Reus then teamed up and the latter made it 2-2. Alcacer came off the bench to help Borussia Dortmund take the lead as Bayer let the game slip 2-3. Alcacer then sealed the deal after Hradecky left the goal to join a set piece in the closing stages.

Possible Lineups

Borussia Dortmund: Burki – Hakimi, Akanji, Weigl, Diallo – Witsel, Delaney – Sancho, Gotze, Guerreiro – Alcacer

Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky – Weiser, Tah, S. Bender, Wendell – Aranguiz, Baumgartlinger, Havertz – Bailey, Volland, Brandt

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