Matchday 13: Boniface's Last-Gasp Equalizer Keeps Bayer's Unbeaten Streak Alive
Borussia Dortmund nearly had the upper hand against Bayer Leverkusen, but the league leaders managed to escape with a draw, thanks to Victor Boniface's 79th-minute equalizer.
In their 20th game of the season, Bayer Leverkusen refused to taste defeat, despite going behind to Julian Ryerson's early opener after five days since their 3-1 Champions League victory against AC Milan. Mats Hummels marshaled Dortmund's defense spectacularly, holding out for 74 minutes before Boniface netted the leveller.
The following games in Dortmund's calendar promise to be challenging, with a cup duel against surprise team Stuttgart and a Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig on the horizon.
Leverkusen's home disappointment
Both Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund entered the match with clear strategies. It took less than five minutes for the division of roles to unfold: Dortmund kept the ball for an extended period in their own half before breaking up two attempts to attack, culminating in Marco Reus's pinpoint pass. Niclas Füllkrug cleared the danger, and Ryerson capitalized, leaving Lukas Hradecky helpless. Leverkusen trailed at home for the first time in the season.
The rest of the game developed as one-sidedly as the opening stages suggested. Dortmund opted to defend deep and retailiate with calculated counterattacks, while Leverkusen tried to exploit the gaps using their possession-focused approach and constant lateral shifts. However, Leverkusen found it challenging to create scoring chances until the dying minutes.
Frimpong's near-miss and the ghost goal
Bayer often threatened down the flanks, especially on the right, where Jeremie Frimpong was aggressive. The equalizer looked imminent when Frimpong's cross evaded Dortmund's defense, and Florian Wirtz struck a sublime left-footed effort that found the back of the net. However, Boniface was ruled offside, a controversial decision that denied Wirtz the opening goal.
Pressure intensifies as Dortmund goes scoreless
The ruling provided fresh motivation for Bayer, who sought to capitalize on the missed chance. The pressure intensified, and Dortmund looked more vulnerable, with the hosts enjoying the upper hand. But Dortmund was able to hold on until the break, thankful for not conceding a second goal.
Another setback saw Dortmund fail to create any dangerous counterattacks and weakly challenge Julien Kochounou (51') in the early minutes of the second half.
Luck on Alonso's side
Bayer continued with their pressure despite the steady defensive efforts from the visitors. Mats Hummels stood tall, organizing Dortmund's strategy and closing down spaces efficiently. His last-ditch tackle to deny Exequiel Palacios's effort in the 62nd minute seemed to symbolize Dortmund's unyielding determination.
The plan was stalling, and eventually, fortune shifted in Bayer's favor. Alonso brought on Patrik Schick, and just seconds later, the Czech international was foiled by Roman Burki, spilling the ball at his feet. Boniface pounced on the loose ball, and despite Dortmund's best efforts, he managed to scramble the equalizer.
The 1-1 draw ensured that Leverkusen's ten-point advantage over Dortmund remains, while both teams remain Bayern Munich's main rivals for the Bundesliga title.
Additional Insights
Bayer Leverkusen currently sits in second place in the Bundesliga, with 47 points - eight points behind Bayern Munich. They boast an impressive goal difference of +22, having scored 49 goals from an expected 40.0 goals in the 2024-2025 season.
The Werkself's defensive prowess has been instrumental in their success this season, producing just two losses in their previous 30 games across all competitions. However, their offense has been let down by their tendency to draw games, with seven draws from their 22 completed matches.
In their latest match against Bayern Munich on February 15, 2025, Bayer Leverkusen put up a strong performance, outplaying Bayern in the first half but was unable to convert their chances. Mats Hummels proved to be Dortmund's hero with his decisive clearance and tremendous organizational skills.
