Patrick Schick, a troubled Yan Couto, and more | Three things we learned as Bayer Leverkusen overcame Borussia Dortmund | OneFootball

As the Bundesliga returned from the Winterpause, Bayer Leverkusen overcame Borussia Dortmund with a breathtaking 3-2 victory at the Westfalenstadion to kickstart 2025 in phenomenal fashion.

With the weather ensuring a 15-minute delay on proceedings, one could have been forgiven for thinking that both sides would have been caught out by the sudden change of plans—but this could not have been further from the truth.

A Nathan Tella wonder strike just 25 seconds into the clash proved to be just an appetiser for what was to come as Patrik Schick’s fourteenth goal of the season doubled Die Werkself’s advantage just seven minutes later.

With a weakened Dortmund team appearing to be on the rocks, Jamie Gittens’ reply on the twelfth minute looked to offer BvB a lifeline until an in-form Schick added his second and Leverkusen’s third to cap off an electric opening twenty minutes.

Despite an early flurry of goals, the following hour of the contest would remain goalless until Serhou Guirassy pulled Dortmund back into the game from the penalty spot.

However, despite the late pressure applied from BvB, they failed to find the all-important third goal as Leverkusen moved to just one point behind Bayern in the Bundesliga while Dortmund lost their first game of a new year since 2004.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface problem is no more

When Victor Boniface joined Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023, there was great anticipation for the arrival of the Nigerian international.

With debate surrounding whether he would be able to lead the line for Xabi Alonso’s side, Boniface quickly quashed any suggestions that he would not be up for the task with ten goals and seven assists in his opening 16 Bundesliga games.

When fit, Boniface was inevitable, and Leverkusen were unstoppable, but without the Nigerian, Die Werkself were never the same—most notably seen at the start of the campaign when Xabi Alonso’s side appeared on the verge of collapse.

However, in his absence, the injury-prone Patrik Schick has seen a reprieve from the sidelines and a prosperous return to the scoring charts.

Keeping match fit has always been the issue for the Czech international, with his goal-scoring ability never in question, and Alonso could not have asked for this streak of fitness to arrive at a better time.

Despite Florian Wirtz’s genius, alone he is not enough to oversee Leverkusen’s title defence, and with Schick’s killer touch and productive link-up play, a successive Bundesliga title is certainly on the cards for Die Werkself.

What can Dortmund do with Yan Couto?

At Girona last season, Yan Couto dazzled with two goals and ten assists, helping the Catalan side stun Spain by securing Champions League football for the first time in the club’s history.

Therefore, when the Brazilian joined BvB, there was undoubted excitement about the attacking quality he could offer Dortmund from the right-hand side.

However, while injuries have stunted the 22-year-old’s start to life at the Westfalenstadion, there has been another issue plaguing Couto, and one that was evident against Leverkusen: his defensive ability.

While it was far from Nuri Şahin’s preferred starting XI, the backline still failed to cover themselves in any glory, most notably for the second Leverkusen goal, as Couto allowed himself to be attracted to the ball rather than the on-rushing Piero Hincapié.

The Brazilian’s positional sense in the defensive third was certainly up for debate, but his work going forward certainly showed why he can have a bright future at the Westfalenstadion.

Currently, it is unclear whether the 22-year-old can be a key player for Dortmund as a right back in a back four, but should Şahin change to a back three or utilise Couto on the right wing, then Dortmund could allow the Brazilian to express his undeniable quality.

Leverkusen remain unconvincing

Last season, there was a sense that Die Werkself would not lose.

However, in this campaign, despite a turnaround in their form, there remains a sense that Leverkusen may not win.

While their defensive stability has certainly improved as the season has worn on, an element of uncertainty has lingered, and this was evident against BvB, especially in the dying embers of the game.

Fortunately for Xabi Alonso’s side, bar Bayern Munich, there is not a side in the Bundesliga title race that has been able to proudly boast a solid defensive unit this season, and even Der Rekordmeister have looked vulnerable against those around them in the table this season.

Therefore, if they are to retain the Meisterschale against a hungry Bayern side, then they will have to take some notes from their performances last season, as continuing to test their luck will not be a sustainable route to the league title.

GGFN | Will Shopland