Round one goes to the Black & Yellows, as focus turns to the cup

It was an important victory in the battle for Champions League places, “big points” against a neighbouring team in the table. Thanks to this success, BVB have overtaken Bayer in the standings and reclaimed third place. The Black & Yellows have also made up ground on second-placed Leipzig, who drew 0-0 in Mönchengladbach, and are now just one point behind them.

Previously, BVB had drawn with Leipzig and suffered defeats in Munich and Manchester. At the pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Leverkusen, this led to questions about why the team had not yet won a game against a big opponent this season. The answer came from sporting director Sebastian Kehl after the final whistle in Leverkusen: “The team has shown that it can compete here too. We had set ourselves a lot of goals for this game. The team implemented them really well, and hopefully that will put an end to the discussion that we can’t win against big teams this season. We deserved to win,” (reactions)

Coach Niko Kovac also spoke in Leverkusen of a deserved victory, “even if we should have decided the game earlier. We had huge chances to score a third goal.” Headers from Aaron Anselmino and Karim Adeyemi, who each scored with their only shot on goal in the game (facts), gave BVB a 2-0 lead. For summer signing Anselmino, it was even his first shot on goal in the Bundesliga. “When I saw the ball coming towards me, I jumped. Fortunately, the ball ended up in the goal,” explained the centre-back, adding: “I’m just happy. I can’t say any more than that.”

In the second half, BVB had several chances to make it 3-0, which would probably have sealed the game. Instead, after the 1-2 goal, the Black & Yellows had to fight hard to maintain their narrow lead. Kovac praised his team: “We stepped it up a notch in the second half. You have to control a game like this so confidently here in Leverkusen. Compliments to the lads – I like that, and that’s exactly the kind of football we need. We have to win games, and we did that today against a really strong opponent. We defended very well, and I’m really proud of that.”

The good run in Leverkusen continues

Dortmund’s streak on the Rhine also continues: the Black & Yellows are unbeaten in five away games in Leverkusen, picking up 13 of a possible 15 points from those matches. However, the next meeting will take place at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK: on Tuesday, they will face Bayer Leverkusen again in the round of 16 of the DFB-Pokal. After the final whistle, Borussia were already looking ahead to the upcoming clash with the Werkself. “It was a good game, but it was only one of two. It continues on Tuesday. It’s different away than when you play at home,” said Julian Brandt. “Now we have the pleasure of playing at home on Tuesday. Games against Leverkusen have always been extremely close in recent years, and I expect the same on Tuesday.” Gregor Kobel explained: “Tuesday will definitely be a different game. But we’ll be at home. It’s important that we build up good energy with our fans and soak up that energy. We want to let that carry us into the game and pick up where we left off today.”

With the momentum from the first match and the Yellow Wall behind them, Borussia want to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal. They already showed how to beat Leverkusen on Saturday evening.

Christina Reinke