Dortmund revive Champions League dream in Leverkusen | OneFootball

As it’s the final game of the season at BayArena, Bayer Leverkusen bid farewell to coach Xabi Alonso and Jonathan Tah before kickoff. Die Werkself also announced there will be no future for Nordi Mukiele, Emi Buendia and Mario Hermoso at the club.

Meanwhile, it’s a crucial game for Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League hopes. Niko Kovac’s side was helped by Leverkusen’s late draw in Freiburg last week as they still stand a chance at a top-four finish.

The Croat replaced Jamie Gittens with Karim Adeyemi after the former Bayern youth player came off the bench to score a brace against Wolfsburg. Alonso made four changes from his lineup in Europa-Park Stadion as he left both Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface on the bench.

Lukas Hradecký regained his place between the sticks, but Tah was handed the captain’s armband for his last BayArena appearance. It was all Leverkusen inside the first 30 minutes with Florian Wirtz at the center of action.

The sought-after midfielder also created the chance that could’ve resulted in a penalty-kick for Leverkusen. Deniz Aytekin pointed to the spot when Remy Bensebaini tackled Alejandro Grimaldo before overturning the decision after VAR’s intervention.

While there was nothing going for Dortmund in the final third, Gregor Kobel managed to keep over 1.0 xG in the first half-hour before Leverkusen’s deserved opener. Jeremie Frimpong smashed one home in a crowded box, and they celebrated the goal with their departing coach.

However, that served as a wake-up call for the visitors. After playing in the Wembley final last campaign and reaching the semis this term, missing out on next season’s Champions League would be disastrous for BVB.

Their reaction started when captain Julian Brandt converted Adeyemi’s cutback against his ex-club. Shortly after, Kobel was on duty once again when he denied Wirtz.

Dortmund went into the half-time break in front thanks to Julian Ryerson’s perfect finish after Bensebaini’s tackle started a brilliant move. Including Amine Adli rattling the woodwork, Leverkusen created three golden chances in injury-time.

The visitors came off half-time talks with a more cautious approach, but Adeyemi still had a perfect chance to extend their lead in the 54th minute. Alonso then made two attacking substitutions to introduce Jonas Hofmann and the club’s top-scorer, Schick.

However, Dortmund managed to slow the game down in hopes of seeing out the slender lead. And, with only 20 minutes left on the clock, the potential “Man of the Match” Adeyemi doubled their lead.

With his last touch before making way for Emre Can, Adeyemi finishes off a counterattacking chance by displaying speed and precision. It soon became 4-1 when Serhou Guirassy netted his 20th league goal of the season.

Schick narrowed the deficit in the 90th minute, but his goal was disallowed for offside. However, Leverkusen did score their second goal of the game in injury-time via fellow substitute Hofmann.

If Eintracht Frankfurt lose to St. Pauli this evening, Dortmund can qualify for the Champions League with a home win over relegated Holstein Kiel. Otherwise, their fate will depend on next weekend’s direct duel between SC Freiburg and Frankfurt.