Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Borussia Dortmund: Talking points as BVB hold Bundesliga leaders to second draw of the season

On Sunday at the BayArena, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund shared the spoils in the derby of the 13th round of the Bundesliga season. It was Julian Ryerson who broke the deadlock for the visitors as early as the fifth minute, and Victor Boniface who equalized for Leverkusen in the 79th.

The game

It came as no surprise that Leverkusen dominated a large majority of the contest, even more so after Dortmund’s early opener which forced them to chase the result. At the end, the numbers were all notably in favour of the home side, all but the most important ones – those on the scoreboard.

Xabi Alonso’s men dominated possession with the ball at their feet for 69% of the time, and took a total of 23 shots, six of which went on target. Dortmund took a total of six, with just two going the right way. Leverkusen took 16 corners, Dortmund one.

However, despite the number being overwhelmingly in favour of the hosts, they created preciously little throughout, and far too frequently their attacks ended with shots from range. Granit Xhaka alone wasted five, and others had no more luck than the former Arsenal man. It should be said that it appeared to have been a part of the visitors’ plan, to allow Bayer to shoot from range while defending the inside of their box with strong determination and in large numbers.

On two notable occasions, Alonso’s men broke through and threatened Gregor Kobel from closer range, the first ending with Mats Hummels putting in a spectacular tackle to prevent Exequiel Palacios from scoring in the 62nd minute, and the other one in Patrik Schick laying it on a platter for Boniface’s equalizer.

It should also be said that in-demand midfielder Florian Wirtz appeared to have scored what would’ve been a terrific goal in the dying seconds of the first half, slamming it in off the crossbar from around 15 yards, but as it happened, Boniface acted from an offside position in the buildup and the VAR ruled it out.

As for…

Source link : https://www.soccernews.com/bayer-leverkusen-1-1-borussia-dortmund-talking-points-as-bvb-hold-bundesliga-leaders-to-second-draw-of-the-season/363425/

Author : Veselin Trajkovic

Publish date : 2023-12-04 11:17:44

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.