Borussia Dortmund Faces Bayer Leverkusen in Bundesliga Showdown

Borussia Dortmund kicked off the 2025 Bundesliga season with a high-stakes match against reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen on Friday. The game, initially scheduled for 8:30 PM, was delayed to 8:45 PM due to heavy traffic, adding to the tension at Signal Iduna Park.

Dortmund entered the match under significant pressure, having struggled for consistency in the first half of the season. With 25 points from 15 games, the team sits in sixth place, far below their Champions League aspirations. A loss against Leverkusen could further derail their campaign, while a win would temporarily lift them to third place.

Coach Nuri Sahin remained optimistic despite the challenges. ‘I’m glad we’re facing Leverkusen. It’s a top match and a benchmark for us,’ he said. Sahin emphasized the importance of building momentum, stating, ‘We want to bring consistency to our performances.’

Dortmund’s task was made harder by a wave of illnesses that sidelined key players, including Emre Can, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Ramy Bensebaini. The team fielded two U-23 players, Kabar and Lührs, in central defense, marking their first Bundesliga starts.

Leverkusen, meanwhile, arrived in formidable form. The double winners ended 2024 on an eight-game winning streak, including a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal. Sporting director Simon Rolfes expressed confidence, saying, ‘The desire to win every game defines us.’

Florian Wirtz, Leverkusen’s star playmaker, started on the bench, while Granit Xhaka overcame an ankle injury to feature in the starting lineup. Patrik Schick, another key player, was confirmed to stay at the club despite transfer rumors.

Historically, Dortmund has a strong record in Friday home games, unbeaten in such matches since 2004. However, Leverkusen’s unbeaten away record this season posed a significant challenge. Coach Xabi Alonso acknowledged the difficulty, stating, ‘We need an almost perfect performance to win here.’

The match also carried added intrigue due to a refereeing controversy. Sascha Stegemann, who was initially appointed to officiate, withdrew due to illness. Stegemann had faced backlash from Dortmund fans after a contentious decision in a 2023 match against Bochum, which many blamed for costing Dortmund the title.

As the Bundesliga resumes, both teams are eager to set the tone for the second half of the season. For Dortmund, the game represents a chance to reignite their campaign, while Leverkusen aims to close the gap on league leaders Bayern Munich.